Hey people! FInished this chapter finally! And hopefully you enjoy it. Leave me some feedback on what you think. And maybe suggestions for the next Arc, what do yout hink it will be? Who will be in it as Cameos? I have two more Arcs planned, I'll leave the names a secret, but I'm pumped. Each one will have a song associated with it. I will reveal the song in the short little interlude chapter between Arcs. Like the next chapter for instance. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and tell me your thoughts!
Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim, like at all.
Kaiden and Serana were in Whiterun currently. Specifically Breezehome, a house that Kaiden had purchased with the help of Vani. He let Violet stay in it from time to time, she didn't like sleeping in Jorrvaskr. They were here to practice Kaiden's Archery skills. Violet knew her way around a bow, so she was the perfect person to teach him.
"Kaiden, you return." Noctis greeted them as they walked into the house. Noctis was cooking something when they walked in. Serana looked around curiously.
"I have, has Violet been around?" Kaiden asked, Noctis nodded.
"She is upstairs, she was a little surprised to find me here, but I must say, she makes wonderful company." Noctis told him, Kaiden smiled and un-clipped his sword from his belt, placing it on a rack. He did the same with Auriel's Bow. He placed the quiver of arrows next to the rack. He then moved upstairs. Serana followed him.
"Violet?" Kaiden asked, as he entered the main upstairs bedroom. A girl turned to him, she was younger, around nineteen, but she carried herself like she was older. She had blonde hair similar to Serana's but slightly shorter, and without the braids, and dark brown eyes. Pale, and lithe body, careful in her motions, deliberate, and deadly.
"Hey, Kai-Bear." She greeted him, he rolled his eyes at the nickname.
"You're good with a bow right?" He asked, she nodded.
"Best shooter in the Companions. Why?" She asked him, he smiled at her.
"Could you give me lessons?" He asked, she eyed him curiously.
"Hmmm, that could work, but what will I get in return for these lessons?" Violet asked him, he gave her a look, but it wasn't he who spoke up.
"Maybe stopping the destruction of the sun, and all life, that sufficient payment?" Serana quipped, Violet smiled at her.
"Okay, this is interesting. You have to tell me what's going on." She said, Kaiden nodded. They went downstairs and he explained everything that had happened in the past weeks. Violet, and Noctis listened to him intently.
"So, we decided to come here." Kaiden finished his story, Violet nodded, and examined Auriel's bow. It was the most beautiful, and elegant weapon she had ever laid eyes on.
"Okay… I can teach you. It'll take a week or two before your body gets used to the treatment. You're turned for physical combat with a single sword, your body isn't attuned to using a bow." She told him, he shook his head.
"We don't have that long." He pointed out, she hummed.
"It's either that or I go with you." She told him, he looked at Serana. She seemed uncomfortable at the thought of getting another person put into danger because of her. Kaiden knew what had to be done.
"Fine. But we need to get this started, like today." He said, accepting the training, Violet nodded and pulled the string back, testing it out.
"Lucky for you, this bow is lighter than normal. I guess it's meant to be perfect, it is a godly weapon. It should be easier for you to adjust to it." She told him, he nodded and smiled at Serana.
"Good, the sooner we get this done the better." He said, Serana nodded. Violet smiled at him.
"Great, we'll get started today!" She exclaimed energetically. She led Kaiden to Jorrvaskr, Serana opted to stay home, and wait for them. It was bad enough Kaiden was going out in the world a vampire, if anyone noticed, she wasn't sure what would happen. But, it wouldn't be good.
They had passed by several patrols of Dawnguard on their way back here. They hadn't noticed them once, but still. They had to be careful and wait for the right time, Isran probably wasn't too happy about their absence, and if they showed up without the skills to use the Bow, he might become even more irritable.
"So, I see you got the bow with Kaiden." Noctis said out of the blue. Serana glared at him, she didn't entirely trust him.
"We did. Why are you staying around?" Serana asked, Noctis turned to her with a smile.
"You don't trust me." It was a statement, not a question. He knew she didn't trust him, she smirked at him.
"No, I don't. But I trust Kaiden, and he trusts you… Just… Don't do anything stupid." She told him, before getting up from her seat, and going upstairs. She closed the door to Kaiden's room, and unstrapped her armor. Leaving herself in only a loose red shirt, and baggy black pants. She laid on his bed, and sighed.
Hours later Kaiden and Violet returned from training. Kaiden went upstairs and found Serana sleeping soundly on his bed, with a satisfied smile on her face. Kaiden smiled at her, and unstrapped his armor. He was in similar attire as she was. He crawled into bed next to her, and kissed her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she did the same to him. They leaned their foreheads against each other and smiled widely. That moment passed however and a frown came to Serana's face.
"We'll get this done, and then what?" She asked him, he frowned at her. He honestly hadn't given it much thought.
"Well… I don't know… I would say… Continue work for the Dawnguard, but… Something tells me that won't be an option." He replied. Serana sighed.
"If you want to get yourself cured, I wouldn't hold it against you." She said, he gave her a look.
"Serana, I… What if we both get cured?" He suggested, she gave him a deranged look.
"I… Kaiden, I don't know…"
"Hey, it's not a big deal. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Kaiden told her, she took a breath, and smiled at him.
"It's okay Kaiden… It's just… I'm not ready yet, maybe we can talk about this later?" Serana suggested, he nodded and kissed her.
"Whatever you want Serana." He told her, she smiled at him, and kissed him. A little more forceful than he had her. She rolled so she was on top of him.
"I want you." She told him in a seductive voice, his eyes widened as she began lightly kissing his neck over and over again.
"oh, um… This is a bit… Sudden." He told her, she stopped kissing his neck and leaned up, straddling him.
"Does it make you uncomfortable?" She asked him, he stammered a bit, she smiled and kissed him slowly. She could tell he was getting excited. She smiled and got off of him. She turned her back to him, grabbed his arms and wrapped them around herself. He rolled his eyes.
"You're a tease, you know that?" He asked, she laughed at him.
"Maybe. We can continue this after we beat my father. Little more incentive for you." She said, he laughed at her, and kissed the back of her head.
The next week passed by in a blur. With Kaiden training all day with Violet, and Serana teasing him more and more each night. Though sometimes they would switch it up. Kaiden would get her worked up, and then quit at the last second. Each night they got closer, and closer to exploding.
Before that happened however they had one thing left to do. Kaiden was training as well as he could be in a week. He could use the Bow efficiently, and quickly. He was a natural. So, with this they journeyed to Fort Dawnguard to report to Isran.
It took them a few days to get there, and when they did they saw that it had grown slightly in the time they've been gone. Once they entered they saw Isran meeting with several other members. They were talking about a group of Vampires they had flushed out of a hideout.
"Isran." Kaiden greeted, Isran turned to him irritated already. He immediately noticed that Kaiden was a vampire. He scoffed in disgust.
"I see you've let that thing turn you." Was all Isran said, Kaiden rolled his eyes, and pulled Auriel's Bow from his back.
"I see you're still as irritable as ever." Serana commented as Kaiden held the bow out for Isran to look at it.
"Is that what I think it is?" Isran asked, Kaiden smirked, as well as Serana.
"Auriel's Bow. That's right. We need to finish this." Kaiden said, Isran closed his eyes, and crossed his arms, taking a deep breath.
"Do it yourselves."
"What?" Kaiden demanded, Isran scoffed at him.
"I said; Do it yourselves. I will not help a vampire, ever."
"You sound like a child." Serana pointed out, he glared at her.
"You are a Vampire. Sworn enemy of the Dawnguard. You turned one of our members, and drove another out. Why would we ever consider trusting you?" Isran asked, Kaiden shook his head.
"Can't you see this is bigger than that? We need to stop him!" Kaiden exclaimed. Isran glared at him. Gunmar stepped forward.
"I think we should help them, this Harkon threatens to blot out the sun. We can't let that go, either we help them, or we all die." Gunmar said, Isran turned to him, and glared at him.
"Are you really questioning me?" He asked, Sorine stepped up beside Gunmar, and crossed her arms.
"Yes, we are. You're being irrational. After we deal with Harkon, we can deal with them, but don't throw this chance out to wipe out a large Vampire clan, who have tormented people for centuries." She tried to reason with him. Isran growled, almost literally in irritation. He looked to Kaiden.
"We will help you this once. We will help with this, and then we're done. If any of the Dawnguard see you again, you die. Is that clear?" Isran asked, Kaiden scoffed.
"If they see us. Fine, you have a deal." Kaiden said, sticking his hand out, Isran eyes it with mistrust, and shook it quickly, before turning around and calling for the rest of the members. Everyone gathered around him, and eyed the two Vampires carefully. The only person who did not do this was Garth. He was Gunmar's smithing apprentice. A prodigy at that. Short dirty blonde hair, and light blue eyes. He used a large axe to fight with.
"The time has come my brothers, and sisters! We may not trust these Vampires, but despite that they have acted in favor of the Dawnguard! We may not like them, but we have no choice but to assist them. We will wipe out the Volkihar Clan, and ensure that the sun never be tainted by these blood thirsty creatures!" Isran yelled, the Dawnguard cheered for him. Serana and Kaiden crossed their arms and watched them quietly.
The two made their way outside, several moments later, the Dawnguard followed them. There were several carriages waiting for them, some with large cages on them. Gunmar led several armored trolls inside the cages, and latched the doors. Several dogs also joined them. Kaiden and Serana got on a carriage and Garth joined them, seeing as how no one else would. The caravan set off with haste.
"Why didn't you join your friends over there?" Serana asked, clearly uncomfortable. She wanted to get some alone time with Kaiden. He felt the same, but wasn't going to say anything.
"I just wanted to say that… Whatever the others think, I still trust you Kaiden. I know that being a Vampire doesn't change who you are." Garth said, Serana still didn't trust him.
"Listen, I'm sure you're nice enough, and we thank you for the sentiment, but… We wanted to spend some time together, you know… Alone." Serana stressed to him, he smiled at them and nodded.
"Right. I can respect that. But, if you ever need anything from me… I'll be here." Garth said before getting off the carriage, and moving to the one with Gunmar. Serana leaned her head on Kaiden's shoulder. She closed her eyes, and took a nap.
A day later they stood side by side on the shores of Volkihar Keep. Last time they had been here, they were entering through the sewers. Now they were going to kick in the doors, and kill everything inside. It was all going to end. Kaiden looked over at Serana, and put his arm around her, she didn't even look up at him.
"Are you alright?" He asked her, worried. She didn't answer for a long while before she looked up at him with a frown.
"No, I'm not." She answered him painfully. He frowned.
"I'm sorry Serana, I know this can't be easy for you." Kaiden said. Serana just looked back to the ground silent. Her face was blank. No emotion, but behind her eyes was pain. A pain that Kaiden knew all too well. It was a mixture of pain, discomfort, and regret.
"Harkon is a bastard. He's an evil, psychotic piece of shit. He let a Daedric prince have his way with my mother, and made me kill when I was a little girl. All of this to advance his own selfish, and pathetic goals… I hate him so much, for what he did to me. For what he did to my mother… And for what he did to you. He deserves to die, fuck, he deserves a fate worse than Death itself. But…"
Serana stopped for a while again, and took a deep shuddering breath, as she shut her eyes tight as a single tear slid down her face.
"… Even after all that, he's still my father. And I have to be the one to kill him." Serana finished. Kaiden frowned at her. She just took a deep breath and looked up at him sadly.
"Whatever happens, I'll be right with you the entire time." He reassured her, she smiled at him, and kissed him.
"I know you will." She replied as Isran approached them. He seemed irritated like always, but he looked strangely happy, content even to get to kill vampires.
"We're ready to head inside. Let's give these bastards no chance to fight back." He told them, before he drew his hammer, and got into a fighting stance. "FOR THE DAWNGUARD!" He yelled at the top of his lunges. He ran up the beach, towards the castle, the entirety of the Dawnguard behind him, as well as Kaiden and Serana. There were several Gargoyles, and Vampires waiting for them.
Kaiden ran with his sword in hand, he would hold nothing back. He would fight with his all. He would help Serana kill Harkon, because it was right, and because she needed this. She needed to finally be free from her old life.
Isran yelled and turned around, swinging his hammer with a large degree of force, his hammer collided with the head of a Vampire, crushing it completely. Kaiden jumped and stabbed a Gargoyle in the throat, as he had done last time he was here. Serana launched an Ice spike into a Vampire's chest, killing him instantly.
The Dawnguard battled their way up the path, killing every vampire and Gargoyle in sight. And there were a lot of them, almost too many to count. Harkon had taken no small amount of effort to try and ensure his Castle would not be taken over. He must have had his followers turn hundreds of people over the past few weeks. To prepare for this.
Once they reached the doors, they took a moment to relax, but not long enough to lose their momentum, or allow the enemy to retreat, or organize themselves. They opened the doors to find twenty or so Vampires waiting for them in the entrance area alone. No telling how many were below, waiting for them.
Kaiden figured the Harkon would not be with them. He was thematic, arrogant. He would be waiting for He, and Serana alone. Serana knew this as well, she indeed was the one to think if first. Kaiden got that feeling from her. Their connection allowed many great things. New ways of working together.
Kaiden didn't want to give that up, however selfish it may be. He liked being connected to her in such a way, a sentiment she shared. Though she thought herself selfish, and despicable for turning him in the first place. Now it truly had ruined his life. He had so much going for him, and he threw it all away because of her.
Once Kaiden felt this thought he frowned. She shouldn't blame herself for this. It was Harkon's fault. Him, and his deranged prophecy. Kaiden killed another vampire, and quickly moved on to the next one. Serana stayed beside him the entire time. Killing Vampires left and right. Kaiden sliced a Gargoyle across the throat, before turning around, and killing a Death Hound that was running at him.
Kaiden took a moment to relax during the battle when an armored troll ran forward, knocking him down, and disorienting him. Kaiden looked around deliriously for a while before he saw a Vampire looming over him. With killing intent in her eyes.
"Die!" She yelled before lunging down at him, he pushed her arm away enough that it ended up embedding itself in his shoulder. He screamed in pain, and Serana came running, launching an ice spike of course, through the womans ribcage. She slid next to Kaiden and held his head in her hands.
"Ow…" He muttered, Serana glared at him as she searched for potions in his satchel, when she found one, she made him drink it. The wound closed itself instantly, and rather painfully as it always did. She pulled Kaiden up and glared at him some more. The remaining vampires were being killed by the Dawnguard.
"I thought we said no more near death experiences like five near death experiences ago?" She asked, He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah? Well, hopefully, that will be the last one." He said, she sighed, and hugged him tightly.
"It better be." She said, before they rushed off to help the Dawnguard. They cleared the main dining hall, and Isran, Kaiden, and Serana ascended the stairs to the Volkihar Cathedral. When they reached the Iron Gate Isran stopped, and pulled the chain.
"Good luck, you'll need it." Was all Isran said, Serana rolled her eyes. She and Kaiden ascended the last of the stairs, they both placed their hands on a door handle. They turned to each other.
"I love you Serana." Kaiden told her, she smiled at him, as a tear came to her eye.
"I love you too Kaiden… Now, let's do this." She told him, he nodded and opened the door at the same time she did. They approached Harkon, and the doors shut behind them. He was in his Vampire Lord form, watching them approach. Kaiden had Auriel's bow in his hand. They stopped in front of Harkon side by side.
"So, you've returned… Is your pet keeping you entertained?" Harkon taunted his daughter. She scoffed at him.
"You know why we're here." She replied coolly.
"Of course I do. You disappoint me, Serana. You've taken everything I provided for you and thrown it all away for this… Pathetic boy." Harkon spat, Serana scoffed once again.
"Provided for me? Are you insane? You've destroyed our family. You've killed other Vampires! Made me kill other Vampires! All over some prophecy that we barely understand. No more. I'm done with you. You will not touch him!" Serana yelled fiercely, stepping in front of Kaiden slightly.
"So, I see this dragon has fangs. Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence. How alike you've become." Harkon taunted her further, Serana rolled her eyes.
"No… Because unlike her, I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore." Serana stated bravely. Harkon merely scoffed at her and turned to Kaiden with a glare.
"And you… It appears I have you to thank for turning my daughter against me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she'd return with hatred in her heart." Harkon told him, Kaiden shook his head.
"Hatred born of your neglect." Kaiden replied, Harkon narrowed his gaze.
"A small price to pay for the betterment of our kind." He spat back, Kaiden glared at him.
"Your kind is a blight on the world." Kaiden responded, Harkon laughed at him.
"You speak of yourself too, pathetic fool. Always the noble Vampire hunter then… And what happens when you've slain me? Is Valerica next? Is Serana?" Harkon asked, causing Kaiden's blood to boil.
"I would never harm Serana. She's too important to me, I love her too much." Kaiden told him, causing Harkon to growl.
"Then it appears my daughter is truly lost. She died the moment she accepted a mortal, and his love into her life." Harkon told him, Kaiden glared at him.
"At least I cared for her when she needed it! You neglected her! You fucking abused her!" Kaiden yelled.
"I did what I had to! I don't expect a blind mortal like yourself to understand."
"I'm not the blind one here! You fail to see Serana as anything more than a puppet, a tool to complete your precious prophecy. You are a disgrace of a man, and a father." Kaiden told him.
"You think Serana truly cares for you? That pathetic girl has no idea what she wants, she will regret this, as will you." Harkon spat back, Kaiden shook his head, and grit his teeth.
"Enough of this! I'm done hearing your lies, it's time to answer for your crimes Harkon!" Kaiden yelled, Harkon scoffed.
"We shall see who answers for what when the dust clears. I will use your skull as a cup for Serana's blood when I taint the bow, you have one chance to turn it over to me, there will not be a second!" Harkon yelled. Kaiden smirked and reached up, gripping an arrow.
"Never." He said before he drew the bowstring back, and fired an arrow at Harkon's chest. He was using the Sun-Hallowed Elven arrows, and a large lash of light exploded around Harkon. He screamed in pain and flew off in a flurry of bats.
"Very well then! You leave me no choice!" Harkon yelled, materializing as a Vampire Lord. He summoned several Gargoyles and Skeletons to fight with him. Kaiden had to laugh, for all his talk that was it? He expected better. He began launching arrows at them, as Serana launched Ice Spikes at them.
Harkon retreated to the fountain at the end of the Cathedral, and a large shield formed around him, Serana looked at it horrified as Kaiden kept shooting the Skeletons, and Gargoyles that came to life. She tapped him on the shoulder and he gave her a look. He nodded and turned around firing an arrow at Harkon, and his shield. A large burst of light came, and the shield was vaporized.
Harkon let out a scream, and infuriated launched a ball of energy at Kaiden. Kaiden jumped back to avoid the brunt of the assault, but he still got hit slightly. Serana frowned as she watched some of Kaiden's life force fly into Harkon. She glared at him, and shot an Ice spike at him. Harkon raised his arm to defend himself, the spike embedded itself in his arm.
"Pathetic little brat!" He yelled as he broke the spike off, and flew at his daughter. He delivered a swift, and hard punch to her face, launching her off her feet, and into the wall. She screamed. Kaiden turned and saw her, he reached for another arrow, but discovered that he had ran out. He drew his sword with his other hand, and ran at Harkon.
Kaiden jumped and swung at Harkon's head. Harkon laughed and disappeared into a flurry of bats, he flew at Kaiden, and several hit him, several bit him even as they passed by. Kaiden landed on the ground, and saw Serana picking herself up off the floor. He rushed over to her, he threw his sword, and his bow down in favor of helping her up. She gripped his arms for a second to steady herself.
"Kaiden!" She yelled, pulling him aside, and launching an ice spike at an approaching Harkon. He screamed at her, and retreated slightly. Kaiden dropped down to pick up Auriel's bow, and his sword, but then hesitated, instead opting to grab a single Sun-Hallowed Elven arrow that had fallen out of his quiver. He ran at Harkon once again, who glared at him, and mat him halfway. Harkon's claws tore through the air, and Kaiden's armor like a hot knife to butter. Kaiden screamed and jammed the arrow in Harkon's neck before falling on the ground.
Serana watched as her love fell, and her father was enveloped in a brilliant flash of light once again. When it cleared however Harkon was still alive, barely, he was sulking back to the altar to heal himself. No. Fuck no, he would not get out of this one. He was going to die here, and now. Serana bent down, and picked up Kaiden's sword. She gripped it with one hand and ran at her father, with a scream.
Harkon turned around to see his daughter charging him in a fury. He growled, she was so insistent on dying, wasn't she? He found that he didn't even have the energy to form a fist. She got to him, and kicked him to the ground, she put Kaiden's sword to his throat. Tears flowing down her face.
"Serana listen to me! I-"He was cut short by Serana cutting his head off in one sweep of the sword. She glared down at him as he faded away into a red pile of dust, and blood.
"Shut up." She said. She was done listening to his selfish monologues of hatred. She was satisfied until she felt something fading away. It was Kaiden. He was fading away, she had to save him!
She turned around, and got next to him. He was losing blood fast, she panicked looking in his satchel for something, anything that would save him! But she found nothing inside. He had no potions left. No! No, this could not be happening! Not after everything they went through!
Isran walked into the room with an even look on his face. He didn't look angry when he saw Harkon's ashes. Serana looked up at him with pleading tear filled eyes, silently asking him to save her. He grunted and threw her a high quality health potion. She put some of it in her mouth, then kissed Kaiden forcing him to drink it. Isran looked away from her.
A few minutes later Kaiden's wounds were all healed up, and he was standing next to Serana, she was supporting him. Isran just glared at the ashes of the dead Volkihar Vampire.
"It's over. He's dead, and the prophecy dies with him. I… I suppose this must be hard for you." Isran said, Serana looked down at the ground.
"I think my father died a long time ago. This was just… the end of something else. I did what needed to be done. Nothing more." Serana told him, Isran hummed.
"I think perhaps… I think you did more than that. You have my thanks." Isran told them, Kaiden looked at him strangely.
"Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you hated us?" Kaiden asked, Isran glared at him.
"Don't mistake this as kinship. You are still the enemy… But, for now I suppose I can ignore you, so long as you don't harm anyone. We will leave, and we'll be taking Auriel's bow with us. The Dawnguard will now be dedicated to safeguarding it. Making sure that the prophecy will never come to pass… You've served Skyrim well… If you ever find yourself cured, and looking for a place of refuge, we'd be honored to have you rejoin our ranks." Isran said, looking to Kaiden for permission to take the bow, Kaiden nodded. Isran took the bow, and left the castle with the other Dawnguard.
Kaiden and Serana looked at each other and smiled, Kaiden pulled her close and kissed her deeply. When they pulled away she looked up at him with tear filled eyes.
"What's wrong Serana? We won… Its fine isn't it?" Kaiden asked, Serana laughed a little bit, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'm happy… For the first time since I can remember… I'm truly happy… It hurts though, you know?" Serana asked, Kaiden smiled at her, and kissed her once again.
"Yeah, I know Serana… But, it's over now… We made it out."
"You broke your promise."
"What?"
"No more near death experiences. For good this time. I just want to relax."
"Well… We have a castle, and a man servant… If you want to stay here, or we could go back to Whiterun?" Kaiden offered, Serana smirked, and led him out of the cathedral. Past all the bodies, and to a room that was locked with magic. Serana placed her hand against the door, and unlocked it. She let him in before closing the door again.
Kaiden looked around the room. It was fancy, but looked like it hadn't been lived in, in years. It was perfectly in order, nothing was out of place. He saw a large bed, and a stone tub in the room. Serana smiled at him.
"This was my bedroom. I sealed it off before I got myself sealed away. Had a feeling I'd be gone for a while, you know? I'm glad I did. No one could get in here without the spell I used. I went as far as to burn the book I learned it from. Now, onto business… I need to take a bath, you'll be joining me. That's an order." Serana told him, already unstrapping her armor. Kaiden stared after her, and joined her, as she filled the tub with water.
Together these two would make this rather ordinary life something extraordinary. They were on the best adventure in the world. Even if things were bad for a while, and they may have lost Auriel's bow, but that could be dealt with later. For now, they relied on one another, they loved each other. They had both made it out, despite the odds. Whatever came next, they would face together, and they would make it something to be remembered.
So, guys, there you go! It's the end of the Dawngurd Arc, I hope you enjoyed it. I know I did, so let me know your thoughts, or whatever. So, yeah! Next Arc, planned soonish. If you enjoyed reading this, favorite, follow, whatever review, or even PM me to talk. I love feedback, but all writers do. Peace!
