The flames I'd summoned went out as I hit the water, plunging us into darkness. The current quickly sucked me under and I fought to surface as I was pulled along by the rushing water. I couldn't see Serana. I'd heard her scream as she'd fallen as well. Where was she?
The river abruptly plunged in a waterfall leading down a vertical shaft. As I tumbled over the edge, I saw massive frostbite spiders descending toward me, illuminated by the faint light of luminescent mushrooms growing on the walls. Just what I needed.
I splashed down into the river below and saw the big, black shapes fall in as well, along with another humanoid figure. Serana.
Another, short waterfall spat me out onto some rocks that scraped across my side. Wincing, I hastily pushed myself to my feet in time to see the spiders and Serana spill out as well. Before the spiders could do much more than hiss at me, I Shouted fire at them. They made high-pitched screaming and clicking sounds as they burned. The flames illuminated Serana, lying on her side and coughing.
I hurried over and knelt down beside her, pulling her into a sitting position and gripping her shoulders as I looked her over for any serious damage. "Are you all right?"
She took a deep breath and nodded.
"Can you walk?" I asked her.
"I think so."
I helped her to her feet. Summoning flames to my hand once more, I looked around. Another tunnel led deeper into the caves.
"Let's go," I told her, and we set off down the tunnel.
We encountered a few more spiders and a troll on our way through the caves. Eventually we entered a long, twisting chamber whose ceiling was held up by natural stone pillars. Water covered most of the ground. The strange part was the torches that were placed here and there around the cavern.
"Be on your guard," Serana warned me, her voice quiet. I nodded and nocked an arrow.
At the far end of the cave I saw sunlight filtering down onto what looked like some kind of stone shrine. Serana frowned and stared at it.
"What's that?" She murmured. "I can feel some kind of power from it…"
A lone figure stood before the shrine, arms raised. We approached with caution.
"Come forward," he said, turning to face us. "You have nothing to fear here."
As we got closer to him, I saw that he was a mer, barely taller than I was, dressed in white armor trimmed with crimson. His skin and hair were strangely pale and the piercing gaze focused on us was icy-blue.
"Who are you?" I asked him, still feeling wary.
"I am Knight-Paladin Gelebor. Welcome to the Great Chantry of Auri-El."
I looked around, confused. "This cave is a temple to Auriel?"
He waved a hand. "Auriel, Auri-El, Alkosh, Akatosh… so many different names for the sovereign of the snow elves."
I stared at him. Did he just say…?
"Snow elves? You're a Falmer?"
Gelebor sighed and said, "I prefer "snow elf." The name "Falmer" usually holds a negative meaning to most travelers. Those twisted creatures you call Falmer, I call the Betrayed."
I glanced back at Serana, who was looking at the snow elf with some curiosity, before addressing him again. "I imagine you know why we're here."
"Of course. You're here for Auriel's Bow. Why else would you be here?" True. "I can help you get it, but first I must have your assistance."
I sighed. Of course.
"And what kind of assistance would that be?" I asked.
He looked mournful as he told me, "I need you to kill Arch-Curate Vyrthur… my brother."
His own brother? I frowned at the thought. "Why?"
"The kinship between us is gone. I don't understand what he's become, but he's no longer the brother I once knew. It was the Betrayed. They… did something to him. I just don't know why Auri-El would allow this to happen."
"What exactly did the Betrayed do?"
"They swept into the Chantry without warning and began killing everyone without pause," he explained, his voice bitter.
"Didn't you fight back?"
"The Chantry was a place of peaceful worship. I led a small group of paladins, but we were no match for the Betrayed's sheer numbers. They slaughtered everyone and stormed the Inner Sanctum where I believe they corrupted Vyrthur."
"So you don't even know if he's alive?"
"He's alive. I've seen him," Gelebor shook his head in frustration. "But something's wrong. He never looks as though he's in pain or under duress. He just… stands there and watches, as though waiting."
"Have you tried getting into the Inner Sanctum?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Leaving the wayshrines unguarded would be violating my sacred duty as a Knight-Paladin of Auri-El, and an assault on the Betrayed guarding the Inner Sanctum would only end with my death."
"Wayshrine?"
"Yes. Let me show you."
He beckoned to me and I followed him to a dome set onto a platform at the back of the cave, directly in the light coming in through the hole in the cavern's ceiling. It was made of white stone and topped with a golden sun. Raising his hand, Gelebor cast some kind of spell. The sun at the top of the dome flared with light, accompanied by a high bell tone. With a low rumble, the dome rose, revealing a small chamber hidden beneath.
"So, this is snow elf magic," Serana breathed. "Incredible."
Gelebor gestured to it. "This structure is known as a wayshrine. They were used for meditation and for transport when the Chantry was a place of enlightenment. Prelates of these shrines were charged with teaching the mantras of Auri-El to our initiates."
"What's that basin in the center signify?" Serana asked, pointing into the shrine.
"Once the initiate completed his mantras, he'd dip a ceremonial ewer in the basin at the wayshrine's center and proceed to the next wayshrine."
"So these initiates had to lug around a heavy pitcher of water. Marvelous. How long would they have to do that?"
"Well, once the initiate's enlightenment was complete, he'd bring the ewer to the Chantry's Inner Sanctum. Pouring the contents of the ewer into the sacred basin of the Sanctum would allow him to enter for an audience with the Arch-Curate himself."
"All that just to end up dumping it out?" The vampire rolled her eyes. "Makes no sense to me."
"It's symbolic. I don't expect you to understand," Gelebor snapped.
Serana put her hands on her hips and looked between the snow elf and me. "So, let me get this straight. We need to do all that nonsense to get into the temple, so we can kill your brother and claim Auriel's Bow?"
Gelebor sighed. "I know how it all sounds, but if there was another way, I'd have done it long ago." To me, he said, "The only way to get to my brother is by following in the initiates' footsteps and traveling from wayshrine to wayshrine just as they did. The first lay at the end of Darkfall Passage, a cavern that represents the absence of enlightenment."
"And how many wayshrines are there?" I asked.
"There are five in total, spread far apart across the Chantry."
"These caves must be massive, then."
"Caves? Oh, no." He chuckled and shook his head. "The Chantry encompasses far more than a few caves, as you'll soon discover. But before I send you on your way, you'll need the Initiate's Ewer. Wait here a moment."
He hurried away to what looked like a small campsite and quickly returned holding a jug made of gold and what looked like mother of pearl.
Handing it to me, he said, "Once you've located a wayshrine, there will be a spectral Prelate tending to it. They will allow you to draw the waters from the shrine's basin as if you've been enlightened.
"I'll be off, then."
He nodded. "I grant you my hopes for a safe journey. May Auri-El watch over you."
Taking the Ewer, I dipped it into the basin in the center of the wayshrine and collected some of the water. The moment I lifted it back up, the far wall of the wayshrine shimmered and vanished, revealing a darkened portal. The air in the gateway rippled. Taking a deep breath, I stepped through, Serana close behind.
"That… wasn't as unpleasant as I thought it would be," she said once we reached the other side, sounding a bit surprised. "Kind of soothing, actually. I feel a little warmer now."
She was right. My clothes had also dried somewhat from the trip down the river. That was something, at least.
Kneeling down, I picked up a fist-sized stone and set it against the top of the Ewer.
"What are you doing?" Serana asked.
"I don't want to lose any of this water." Focusing on my power, I Shouted, "Strin!"
The edge between the rock and the ewer glowed. That should hold it. Fixing a strap to it, I slung it over my shoulders.
Looking around, I saw the passage ahead was lit by pink mushrooms that looked almost like flowers. As we passed, they closed up and went dark.
The tunnels were, unsurprisingly, inhabited by Falmer. Serana and I managed to sneak past most of the blind, twisted mer and their chaurus. Soon enough, however, we reached a dead end. The passage ahead was sealed by a stone and the wall to the left had two chains hanging from it. I saw holes in the floor and the walls around the barrier, presumably for things to shoot out from. Above, a clawed net was set to swing down.
"Hmmm… Pull chains and traps," Serana murmured as she examined them. "Be careful here. Whatever's on the other side of this, the Falmer wanted to keep there."
"And there's only one way to find out what it is."
Bracing myself for the traps to go off, I pulled the chain on the left. The wall slid down with the sound of stone grinding loudly against stone.
That was when I heard the growl.
A dark shaped loomed on a stone on the other side of the newly-opened barrier. Without hesitation, I drew an arrow and shot it. It snarled and fell over with a thump. When I climbed up to examine the body, I saw that it was a large cat with saber teeth. The strange part was the stripes of luminescent green stripes down its dark flanks.
"What in Talos's name..."
Looking up, I stared at my surroundings.
Most of the large chamber was dark, save for what was lit by crystals or massive glowing mushrooms. Waterfalls dropped into the stream that ran through the middle. Deer with luminescent patterned fur scampered over the rocky outcroppings around the cave's edges.
"It... almost doesn't even look real, you know?" Serana whispered as she looked around.
I nodded and pointed to a ledge that crossed over the water. We headed down to it, the odd deer skittering out of our way as we passed, and headed up the other side. Through the shadows ahead I saw what looked like another shrine dome. A ghostly figure waited for us before it.
"That's another wayshrine up there," Serana said. "Here we go."
When we got closer, the ghost of the Prelate spoke.
"Welcome, initiate. This is the Wayshrine of Illumination. Are you prepared to honor the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?"
I didn't really have much choice, did I?
"I am."
The ghost smiled. "Then behold Auri-El's gift, my child. May it light your path as you seek tranquility within the Inner Sanctum."
As Gelebor had before, the Prelate used his magic to raise the shrine and I stepped inside. Unsealing the vessel, I scooped up some water from the basin. Another portal appeared on the shrine's far wall. I stepped in and Serana followed me through.
It led to yet more caves, filled with crystals and ruined stone pillars. Across from the tunnel was a passageway leading upward. At the end of it I thought I saw a light.
As we walked, I asked Serana, "Do you find it ironic that you're helping these priests?"
She shrugged. "Honestly, I don't think they care what a vampire would do with Auriel's Bow. They're pretty focused on the past. As long as we can get this "Vyrthur" out of the Sanctum, I think they'll be happy to just hand it over.
The passage ended and I helped Serana climb out. She tugged up her hood and we stood side-by-side to look out at our surroundings.
Where we stood overlooked a big, snow filled valley. Strange flowers grew between the tall pines. Wispy clouds brushed across the clear blue sky over our heads.
"This is incredible," she breathed. Her golden eyes were wide. "It's like a whole other world. Come on, the bow has to be in this valley somewhere."
"Hopefully we can find it in here," I murmured as we walked down.
We found the next few wayshrines without too much issue. The valley wound around in a confusing, twisting way. As the sun set behind the mountains surrounding us, we came across a massive lake whose surface had frozen over. Half-buried in the snowy banks were several skeletons. One of them still clutched a bottle in its fist. I knelt down.
"What is it?" Serana asked me.
I pried the bottle from its boney fingers, wrenched out the cork, and carefully smelled the contents. I frowned, confused. "This is a potion of fire resistance. Why would they need one of those out here...?"
I looked around. There was nothing but the ice-covered lake.
"Let's keep moving," I told her as I got to my feet.
We stepped out onto the lake, taking careful steps and heading toward the other side. For some time everything was quiet save for the whistle of the cold wind through the valley. Then Serana stopped. She looked down nervously at the ice beneath her feet.
"Does this ice feel a little... thin to you?"
Before I could respond, the ice some distance away broke apart with a sound like an explosion as a dragon erupted from beneath the surface. Serana gasped and I stepped back, drawing my bow. I tried to train an arrow on it, but it was moving too fast. When it swooped down toward us, I Shouted at it.
"Joor zah frul!"
With a roar, it came crashing back down onto the lake, cracking the surface and disappearing into the dark water. The ice beneath my feet cracked, and I plunged into the freezing water as well. It felt like every inch of my body was being stabbed with daedric knives. I forced myself to surface, gasping for air and shaking with the cold.
"Mara!" Serana grabbed me and hoisted me back up onto the ice. Her eyes shone in the darkness. "We have to get you out of here. You'll freeze."
"I won't freeze."
I waved her back and set down my bow beside me. Summoning fire to my hands, I let the flames race over my entire body, drying me almost instantly. Nearby, the dragon burst from the ice again, along with a second from the lake's other side. Two dragons. Great.
I ran. Drawing an arrow and praying, I fired at the first. It dropped, falling back into the lake. I felt its soul absorb into mine a moment later.
One left.
It landed on the ice in front of Serana. She summoned crackling sparks to her fingers, but I knew it wouldn't be enough. I raced toward them, my boots slipping on the slick surface. As I did, I shouted, "Hey! Over here!"
The dragon's head swung around and it snarled at me. Skidding to a stop, I shot an arrow into its head. It collapsed onto the ice, which cracked slightly beneath its massive body.
"Are you all right?" I asked Serana.
She nodded. "I'm fine. Let's just find the last two wayshrines."
The final leg of the valley led through a thin canyon swarming with Falmer that ended in a cavern cut into the side of a glacier. I shivered at the stronger chill once we were inside. My breath was visible every time I exhaled. Ahead, two Falmer attacked a lone frost troll. One shot it in the face and the beast tumbled down into the pool of water at the center of the cavern with a loud splash.
"Poor thing," Serana murmured beside me. "I know it would have tried to kill us, but still..."
"Serana, focus," I whispered.
Nocking an arrow, I shot down the first Falmer. The other turned toward us, lips drawn back to reveal its sharp teeth, and I shot it as well.
With the path cleared, Serana and I walked up the path leading deeper into the glacier. Gaps were crossed by rickety bridges made from what looked like bones. I winced as they creaked and swayed beneath me. I didn't particularly want to fall onto all that hard ice below.
Looking at the bridges with distaste, Serana commented, "Not the most solid construction here. About what I'd expect from... creatures like this."
We climbed up from the main chamber through a set of winding tunnels cut into the ice. I stopped, squinting at the snow that covered the tunnel floor. It looked like a thin line of black ran across it... A line that Serana was about to step on.
"Serana, no!"
I lunged forward just as she broke the tripwire. Grabbing her arm, I yanked her back toward me. A clawed trap swung around and crashed into the wall of the tunnel. The sound faded, leaving only the sound of our shocked breaths. I realized that I was still holding onto her. I cleared my throat and hastily let her go.
That was when I noticed the fresh blood on the trap's metal claws. My gaze snapped to Serana, who was holding onto her arm and wincing. I summoned a healing spell to my fingertips and reached for the wound that tore through her forearm.
"Here. Let me–"
She shook her head and drew back. "Healing won't work on me."
I hesitated. Vampire. Right.
"Are you going to be all right?" I asked.
"It won't take long to heal up. One of the perks, I guess."
We kept walking, through the rest of the glacier and into another narrow canyon. At the very end was another wayshrine. As we approached, the ghostly Prelate spoke.
"You've found the Wayshrine of Radiance, initiate. Are you prepared to honor the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?"
"Yes."
"May the blessings of Auri-El protect you as you climb the road to the Inner Sanctum and final enlightenment."
He opened the wayshrine and I drew water from its basin into the ewer. Stepping back out, I said to Serana, "I think that's the last one. Let's see if we can find this "Inner Sanctum.""
We walked up a path leading away from the wayshrine lined with ruined columns and snow-covered pine trees. Then, across a bridge, I saw it. We both stopped.
"That... has to be the place," Serana breathed. "I've never seen a building like that before. It looks like some kind of temple. By the blood..."
It was built into the side of a sheer gray-rock cliff face. The walls were made of marble as white as the snow around it. Glass windows covered the face of the building, topped with sharp arches. The overgrown front courtyard held a gold statue whose arms dripped with icicles. It depicted a tall mer holding a stylized sun, like the ones one top of the wayshrines.
"This is a statue of Auriel, but it's using the older signs of his power. This temple must be ancient. The bow has to be in here."
A set of stairs on either side of the statue led up to the sealed front door. Before it stood an empty basin. I poured the contents of the ewer into it. The water rushed out into grooves that crossed the floor, ending right in front of the door. When it did, the gilded sun in the middle of the door spun and split, unsealing it. Setting down the ewer, I stepped forward and pushed it open.
The marble halls inside were dark and cold. Ruined chunks of the sanctum littered the floor. All around were Falmer and chaurus, every one of them covered in a layer of ice. Serana walked over to one of them, frowning.
"These Falmer are... they're frozen in the ice. I wonder how long they've been like this." She tapped it with a finger.
"Careful," I warned her. When she stepped back, I looked around warily. The Inner Sanctum felt... wrong. Very wrong.
The rest of the Sanctum looked similar. However, further inside humanoid bones lay strewn across the floor. I remembered what Gelebor had said about the Falmer overrunning the temple and slaughtering everyone inside. I shuddered and looked away.
"And I thought the Soul Cairn was creepy," Serana murmured.
The marble hallways deteriorated into broken passages of ice. At a drop, I jumped first and then helped Serana down as well. We rounded the corner and found ourselves in a large chamber.
Pillars held up the ceiling high above us and wickedly sharp ice spikes grew from the walls. Frozen Falmer stood all around the room. At the far side a throne rested on top of the dais. Seated in it was a pale mer with long hair and garbed in white robes and armor. Vyrthur. When we stepped into the room he looked up.
"Did you really come here expecting to claim Auriel's Bow?" He asked with a sneer. "You've done exactly as I predicted and brought your fetching companion to me."
"Wait, is he talking about me?" I heard the shake in Serana's voice. I stepped between them, nocking an arrow.
"Which, I'm sorry to say, means your usefulness is at an end!"
Vyrthur snapped his fingers and, with a loud crack, the Falmer all around us broke free of the ice. I shot one and it shattered into a thousand gorey chunks. Serana hacked at them with her knife and drained their life essence, leaving them to fall and shatter against the floor. We fought them all off, until they were left as no more than half-frozen pieces around us.
The Snow Elf laughed. "An impressive display, but a wasted effort. You delay nothing but your own deaths!"
There was a rumble.
"Watch out! He's pulling down the ceiling!" Serana shouted. She tugged me aside just in time to avoid being crushed beneath a chunk of the ceiling that crashed to the floor. We skirted around the pieces that fell around us.
Then it stopped.
We faced him, breathing hard. Vyrthur got to his feet, snarling.
"No... I won't let you ruin centuries of preparations..."
"Surrender and give us the bow!" Serana shouted at him.
Vyrthur raised his hands and a glow surrounded him. The chunks of rubble lifted into the air. He cackled.
"Death first!"
My eyes widened.
"Run!" I cried as I pushed Serana out of the way.