Alduin
"Finally…", I muttered, leaving the ship again together with my soldiers. The Guards didn't bother us as soon as they saw me, Brelof walking beside me with a thoughtful expression even though the soldiers were in a happy mood after our Victory.
"What happens with the ship now?", I broke the uncomfortable silence before Brelof looked at me with a small smile.
"Some of us are living here in Windhelm, we'll have a use for it,don't worry.", he replied. I only nodded slightly and returned to my thoughts. At least one of my biggest Problems is now gone, I can take a bit of Comfort out of that. But Teldir was still out there somewhere, having to go through all of this only because I couldn't handle it...
'I only hope he is alright…", I thought with a bitter expression. This Victory felt like nothing for me, I still have one last Task in front of me and I need Teldir back. If I only could have gone with him. But I can't do anything now, I have to wait for a message from him.
"Something still troubling you, Dragonborn?", Brelof suddenly spoke up to which I looked at him.
"Since when calling me like that?", I asked with a small smile. Brelof returned it and looked in front of him again before responding.
"I don't know what you have to do as the legendary Dragonborn but seeing you like that only confirms that it's ruining your life. When you asked me that question… it was what you wish for your life, wasn't it? So can you answer me this? Do you have someone in mind?", he asked before he looked at me again with an honest yet soft expression.
"I… I don't know. I have never thought about that before, really.", I replied, yet Brelof looked at me with slightly narrowed eyes, as if analyzing me. I tried keeping eye contact with him but I just had to avoid it after mere seconds.
"Well, I DID thought about… it… or-", I couldn't continue when Brelof chuckled slightly.
"You know, even though when it would be a dragon, if this is what you truly want then what is stopping you from having a happy life?", Brelof smiled warmly while I couldn't believe that.
"W-what do you mean? I never said-"
"And I only guessed. It is for your own good, trust your heart, it will always lead you.", Brelof said as he looked at me again with a pleased expression when he saw my look of pure disbelief. But his look suddenly turned into a thoughtful one again before he looked at the ground.
"You know… Arcos?", I didn't looked at him to respond but hummed for a Moment for him to continue.
"I might be just a bother for you, but… would you mind if I'd come with you on your travels?", I perked my head up before I looked at him with wide eyes. His expression was honest and hopeful.
"Why would you be a bother? Of course you can if you really want to.", it seemed like a normal request for me but Brelof's expression was nevertheless one of Relief and happiness. Though I wonder why he would want to waste his time to travel with me…
"Thanks Arcos. This means a lot to me, now that the Emperor is dead I don't know what to do anymore.", he said.
"I don't have a certain Destination right now, but I'm planning to visit the shrines of every city. If this doesn't bother you, that is…", I muttered uncertainly but Brelof just nodded.
XxxxxxX
Teldir laid on the ground, trying to regain his breath again. But everything was worth it in the end, and with that Scroll his friend would have everything he needs. He looked at the Mask in his hands again, smiling at it while still breathing hardly. He could practically feel the Magicka which was surrounding it and there was also this Staff he had. To drain Magicka so quickly made it very powerful and he wondered if this Staff could do anything else too…
He shook his head and putted them safely into his bag before slowly and carefully getting up again. He stumbled a bit at first but regained his Balance before he looked around the area for an exit.
There was an iron gate which was already open and led to a small corridor with a stone door leading out of the ruins and back outside. The instant he left the ruins the cold snowstorm began to take effect again and he immediately shivered.
"Now I only have to get out of here again.", Teldir muttered as his breath was visible in the air.
XxxxxxX
We both left Windhelm again after having visited the shrine of Talos here before deciding to head towards Rifton now. We simply followed the main way towards the town, not having any trouble along the way but it didn't took long until it was nighttime and we made a fire a bit away from the street where we could rest. Brelof fell asleep pretty fast while I looked at the night Sky. Travelling with him is a joyous experience and I could talk to him whenever something is troubling me. But I didn't wanted to sleep right now, those dreams are always there and I can't get rid of them…
I sighed in Frustration and got up again, carefully not to wake Brelof and randomly picked a direction for a little walk. I'm missing my sleep for days now, only able to Rest for at least some hours before another Dream would come into my mind. And it is always the same, only in different places… why!? Why is it like that? As if it isn't hard enough already not to think about
her… not to think about that beautiful dragon...
I didn't noticed the silent tears on my face when I suddenly heard something which made my eyes widen in shock. I jumped back when suddenly a black Mass appeared in front of me before long tentacles slowly creeped out of it, forming a Circle before a slimy eye opened in the middle of it, looking intensely at me as soon as it opened, the tentacley moving in the air. I gasped but couldn't say or shout anything when I heard a voice in my head, creeping itself into my mind.
"Good evening… Dragonborn. Finally, I can talk to you,
after… observing you… for a great amount of time now…"
"Who are you!?", I grabbed the hilt of my sword but kept my Hand there, not taking it out yet. I heard a chuckle in my head… slow, sounding old and as if it would talk in slow motion.
"I am… Hermaeus Mora… Daedric prince of Wisdom, and fate… you have had my interest for a while now…"
I narrowed my eyes but this thing only had the eye as the only Form of Emotion. I've never had any contact with Daedric princes before and I despise them for a reason.
"In time, you will understand… but for now, let me say this to you… you are destined… to be something much greater."
The eye disappeared again as did the tentacles shortly after that. I fell to the ground as my Vision became Dizzy for a Moment as I felt the presence in my head leaving again. I panted as I looked at the Spot where the black Form had been floating just moments ago before my Vision became normal again. I have to sleep…
XxxxxxX
After another day of travelling we could see Rifton in the distance, Brelof still unaware of what had happened the night before. I don't want to bother him with another one of my troubles… I don't know much about Daedric prince's but this one was beyond weird. It felt like its voice was firmly pinned on my mind, having a hold on it for a moment until it disappeared again. But I threw those thoughts away and kept my expression normal until we arrived at the gate towards the town. One thing which caught my interest was that the Guard which normally stood at the right side of the gate when I arrived here for the first time wasn't there anymore, only the Guard on the left side was still there. If this is even the same one from before…
This time nobody stopped me and we both just entered the town and looked around for a moment. It was still as before and we both just made our way towards the shrine in this town. I don't even know which one it was here.
"Do you have a certain reason why you're visiting the shrines?", Brelof asked out of curiosity while looking at the many things which were sold here while we crossed the market.
"Not really… I just have the hope that it might help me a bit in…
my next Task.", my voice fell a bit at the end and Brelof didn't question it. Instead we left the market behind and came to a big wooden House where a stone staircase was leading to. A Priest just left the building as we entered, greeting us in the process which we returned. I looked around the big room and saw another Priest who didn't had anything to do right now and decided to ask him which shrine this here even was. The Priest greeted us friendly and looked at me while Brelof took the time and looked a bit around.
"Excuse me, but what is this place?", I asked as I looked at the shrine at the end of the room.
"This is the shrine of Lady Mara, Traveller. Are you here for a wedding?", the Priest asked with a smile in return as my eyes widened a bit.
"N-no, I just needed to know what Kind of shrine this for a Blessing.", I stuttered a bit.
"Go ahead then.", the Priest replied friendly before he walked into another room. I could have a wedding here? No thank you. Such things are nothing for me. But the shrine of Mara? Maybe I could pray for… her Blessing. Maybe I could have somebody in my life too... I went towards the shrine and bowed slightly in front of it before I started to pray silently.
I tried to clear my thoughts while doing that but it became more and more difficult to do just that, random images suddenly appearing in front of my eye, forming something black…
I gasped and opened my eyes instantly, panting heavily. I could feel two arms giving me support, preventing me from falling to the ground.
"Arcos? What's wrong!?", I heard Brelof muttering behind me in fear. I regained my senses again and shook my head, my breathing getting normal again.
"N-nothing, I just felt a bit Dizzy for a moment, let's just go...", I stuttered. Brelof was about to complain but I got up again and left the building with Brelof following behind me. Nobody else was in the room right now so at least I don't have to explain anything…
As I left the house again I was lost in thought, almost not noticing the courier who stopped right in front of me to which I looked at him before he spoke up.
"A letter from a friend of yours.", he handed me the letter before he got going again. Brelof looked at me with a curious expression while I opened the letter before silently reading it. My expression lit up again as I read every Word before looking up again and towards Brelof. He was just as confused as before but his worries were pushed away for a moment when he saw my relieved expression.
"Now we have a destination. We'll go towards High Hrothgar."
XxxxxxX
Brelof looked in awe at the giant building in front of us since he has never been here before while I smiled at the Person in the distance who was already waiting in front of High Hrothgar.
"Teldir!", I greeted him as we both shared a hug for a moment before Teldir also greeted Brelof. He looked at Teldir with slightly narrowed eyes, not really trusting a high elf but held himself back as long as I trusted him.
"Greetings to you too. My name is Teldir.", he greeted him with a smile before I introduced Brelof to him and explained everything.
Teldir smiled with satisfaction when I finished before he pulled something out of his back which made my eyes widen.
"Then I'm glad to see everything went just as we've planned. This is for you.", Teldir smiled as he handed me the Elder Scroll. Brelof gasped in shock while I carefully laid a Hand onto it and slowly took it with both hands, looking intensely at it.
"You did it…"
"What? You had doubts I would make it?", he said with a proud smile before I hugged him again. This is it… I have everything I need. There is only one last thing to do…
"Also, I think this here should interest you.", Teldir said before he pulled something else out of his bag. I looked at the weird Mask he held in front of me before he gave it to me.
Morokei…
I muttered it slowly as the name went through my mind as I touched the mask. Teldir only looked at me before my confused expression as to what this is told him to explain some things.
"This is what remained from the Dragon Priest who guarded the Elder Scroll. I don't know anything about it but you already seem to know how it is called.", he said with slight surprise.
"Dragon Priest? But I thought they're long dead…", I muttered before looking at the weird Mask again.
"They are. I… can't explain that but this one remained just as a Draugr. Maybe you should put it on.", Teldir suggested as he looked at the Mask. I could feel the Magicka on it… but I shook my head and instead just putted it into my bag.
"I'd rather not do that… but now I have a Task to complete. I can't thank you enough Teldir, Brelof. But from here on I'll have to go alone.", I muttered as I looked at the Scroll.
"We understand that. If you can't do it then nobody can.", Brelof said as he laid a Hand on my shoulder.
"I couldn't agree more. I know you can do it.", Teldir said with a smile before he stepped to the side to make way for me.
"Thank you.", I muttered before I looked at the Peak of the mountain and towards the entrance to High Hrothgar. I took the first steps and walked up the stairs towards the door before I entered the building. Arngeir noticed me as I walked through the main Hall but didn't said anything as soon as he saw the Scroll and my determined expression and just smiled warmly instead.
I took the door towards the courtyard and took the way I first took when trying to reach the Peak.
XxxxxxX
"You have the Kel… the Elder Scroll… go ahead then. Go to the time wound. Do not delay, Alduin will be coming. She cannot Miss the signs.", Paarthurnax sat on one of the Stones and watched me as I stepped towards the time wound, the Scroll in my hands. My heart felt heavy, aching as I took step by step towards the time wound. As I stepped into it I couldn't really hear the Sounds from outside anymore before I looked at the Scroll and towards Paarthurnax who gave me a nod before I opened the Scroll and looked at it. The strange markings I saw began to Glow in a bright blue light and it took my Vision away before everything became black…
…
I could hear the distant roars of many Dragons and people shouting something, my Vision was blurry and I couldn't make out my surroundings. I couldn't move either, I was frozen in place, only able to hear everything until I could see clearly again. I was on the same place on which I've read the Scroll, only this time the sky was having bloody red colour and I could see a female Nord slashing her sword against the head of a dragon to which it roared in pain before falling to the ground, not moving anymore.
"Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death!", the female Nord shouted against it before two other Male Nord ran towards her, pulling out their weapons before one of them began to speak up.
"Gormlaith! We're running out of time! The battle…", suddenly another dragon landed on top of one of the Stones, speaking up with a deep Male voice.
"Daar sul Thur se Alduin vokrii. Today Alduin's lordship will be restored. But know that I honor your Courage. Die now, in vain.", the dragon began to breath in for a fire breath before one of the two Male Nord began to charge against the dragon. The dragon unleashed its fire breath which the Nord had to take before he slashed his sword against the dragon. It interrupted its fiery breath and started to bite him instead until Gormlaith joined in and jumped onto the Dragon's head which caught him by surprise before she pierced her sword through his head which killed him.
The three Nord sheathed their weapons before the female began to speak up.
"Hakon! A glorious day, is it not!"
"Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your Blade?", One of the Male Nord replied with narrowed eyes.
"What else is there?"
"The battle below goes ill. If Alduin does not rise to our Challenge, I fear all may be lost.", Hakon replied with a depressing tone, but this female Nord was the complete opposite of him.
"You worry too much, Brother. Victory will be ours!", it was then when the third one of them joined the conversation as Hakon talked to him.
"Why does Alduin hang back? We've staked everything on this Plan of yours, Felldir."
"He will come. He cannot ignore our defiance. And why should he fear us now?", the old Nord named as Felldir said before Gormlaith spoke again.
"We've bloodied him well. Four of his kin have fallen to my blade alone this day!", she stated with a proud tone before Felldir interrupted.
"But none have yet stood against Alduin himself…"
"They did not have Dragonrend. Once we bring him down, I promise I will have his head.", I didn't understand why but I boiled with Anger at this female Nord, how dare she… and how dare they say that she's a Male!
"You do not understand. Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon! He is beyond our strength. Which is why I brought the Elder Scroll…", Felldir said as he pulled an Elder Scroll from his back to which Hakon narrowed his eyes in Anger.
"Felldir! We agreed not to use it!"
"I never agreed. And if you are right, I will not need it.", Felldir stated calmly yet slightly impatient.
"No, we will Deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now!", Hakon stood to his opinion before Gormlaith spoke again.
"We shall see soon enough. Alduin approaches!"
The three of them drew their weapons as Alduin herself landed on top of the word Wall with a mighty yet beautiful roar, looking at the three Nord with a smirk on her maw.
"Let those that watch from Sovngarde envy us this day!", Alduin tried to take off into the sky again when suddenly the three Nord shouted together.
"Joor Zah Frul!", the words burned into my mind as a blue Wave engulfed Alduin and she stopped in her Tracks when she suddenly roared in pain, having to land back on the ground again.
"Nivahriin joorre! What twisted Words have you created!? Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first… you will die in Terror, knowing your final fate… to feed my Power when I come for you in Sovngarde!", her voice was full with hatred as her eye colour changed into a deep red. I couldn't believe what I saw in her right now… her voice was hurting me inside…
"It will not be in Terror. You feel fear for the first time worm! I see it in your eyes, Skyrim will be free!", Gormlaith shouted to which Alduin's eyes gleamed for a brief moment.
"You don't know anything…", her voice was without any emotion before Gormlaith charged at her head while Hakon slashed his sword against her left Wing. Alduin only narrowed her eyes at Gormlaith before she picked her between her teeth before throwing her off the mountain. She roared when Hakon slashed his sword against her before hitting him with her Wing which sent him flying backwards.
"No, damn you! It's no use! Felldir use the Scroll!", Hakon shouted in defeat before Felldir pulled out the Elder Scroll and opened it.
"Hold, Alduin! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World Eater! You are banished! Alduin, we shout you out from all our endings unto the last!", a blue light engulfed Alduin as she looked at herself in Terror. As much as I tried to do anything I was forced to watch as the light engulfed her more and more.
"Faal Kel?! Nikriinne…", the light engulfed her completely until it disappeared again, together with Alduin.
"It worked… you did it…", Hakon said while panting heavily.
"Yes, the World Eater is gone… may the spirits have Mercy on our Souls…
My Vision became blurry as the blackness engulfed my Vision again…
XxxxxxX
I woke up again, the Scroll still in my hands as I looked around. Paarthurnax was looking into a certain direction of the sky which I followed, but the sight made me wanting to break down. Alduin looked at me with her Golden eyes, neither one of us saying anything.
"I have waited for this moment…", Alduin said soothingly as she looked into my eyes. I could have sworn I saw sorrow in her Golden eyes...
"You're too late Alduin! The Dovahkiin has your weakness!", Alduin narrowed her eyes at Paarthurnax, growling slightly.
"Hi Lost Gruth Hin Fron! You deserve the same fate.", Alduin growled with hatred at Paarthurnax.
"Hi Lost Munax Wah Fin Joor.", Paarthurnax countered which made her only angrier.
"Munax? Nunon Fah Nust Lost Ni Fin! I will finish what I began as soon as I've dealt with you!", Alduin shouted towards the sky and in mere moments the meteors fell towards the ground and the sky colour changed into a deep red, as did her eyes. She looked at me again before she licked her lips.
"I can't wait to devour your soul…", she roared again but this time I took a deep breath.
"Joor Zah Frul!", a blue Wave engulfed her and she roared in pain before she landed in front of me, looking at me.
XxxxxxX
I couldn't bare the look Arcos had on me, so broken, so torn
apart… why!? Why isn't he just fighting against me? Why did he hold back in the first time? Why…
"You don't have to do this…", I heard Arcos muttering in sadness to which I growled. I can't bare this… I can't hold my expression! Why can't I just kill him!? If this is what it takes to have my old precious life back then he won't stand in my way!
'This isn't what makes life precious Alduin…'
'I only want you to live a happy life… my precious daughter.'
I shook my head before growling again. Get out of my head!
"You should stop imagining things!", yes, I have to finish this. That's what I must do… what I have to do.
"Yol Toor Shul!", I fired a fire breath towards him but he didn't even flinched. I gasped as he took just took my attack and cried out in pain. No…
XxxxxxX
It burned, my whole body ached as her attack Hit me, making me Fall to the ground as I panted, when suddenly another roar echoed through the sky. I heard Alduin roaring and saw Paarthurnax slashing his Tail at her head before she grabbed it with her claws and threw him against the word Wall which made it Crack to which he didn't move anymore. She turned around to look at me again, but I gasped when I saw the tiniest Piece of sorrow in her eyes as they changed Golden once again. But as soon as it was there it disappeared again, buried within her cold expression. No… I haven't imagined that!
"Why Alduin? Why can't you live together with us? The people from the past are not the same as us! If I can-"
"Why do you still try to change my mind with your Tricks? You're no different from the others. This is what sets you apart from us. Your emotions are making you weak.", I don't how long I can take this.
"No… I care for you too.", for the first time I saw her expression completely falter as her eyes were locked into Mine, getting softer…
Suddenly it changed into a deep red again and the earth shook as the meteors crashed against the ground.
"Enough! I'm going to declare war on your pitiful kind, I'm going to have what is rightfully Mine! Enjoy those last days of your freedom until the world will be under my rule again. But if you wish to safe your kind, come and face me in Sovngarde!", she took off into the sky again and roared before flying into the distance as the sky colour changed into normal again. I could only watch as she disappeared into the distance as a single tear ran down my face.
And that's it.
Translations:
Morokei/ Glorious, Dragon Priest Name
Nivahriin joorre! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax!/ Foolish mortals! Traitorous Paarthurnax!
Faal Kel!? Nikriinne.../ The Elder Scroll!? Cowardly…
Hi Lost Gruth Hin Fron./ You have betrayed your kind.
Hi Lost Munax Wah Fin joor./ You have been cruel to the mortals.
Nunon Fah Nust Lost Ni Fin!/ Only because they were not the strongest!
Joor Zah Frul!/ Mortal Finite Temporary
