She landed at the top of a hill, surrounded by lush grasses and flowers. She looked up, and saw the same sky she saw in her visions. She froze as a familiar-unfamiliar voice whispered in her ear.
You must find Shor's Hall, Champion, and gain entry. You will require the aid of the doom-driven heroes of the past. It lies in the center of Sovengarde, and all roads will lead you thence. Be wary, for the World-Eater stalks his misborn mists for the souls of the fallen. You have blessings upon you, Champion. Travel swift. Your doom awaits.
She shivered as a tingle of strange magic washed over her. She shook it off, and trotted down the path before her. Who or whatever the voice was, they were right. She could feel the urgency of her task with every step she took. She continued through the mist, seeing souls of soldiers in Stormcloak and Imperial armors wandering, lost. She shoved away her sympathy and kept moving. Once Alduin was dead, they would be freed. She rounded a bend in the path and slowed, taking in the sight of a vast hall ahead.
Torches gleamed along the entrances, each door tall enough to allow a giant admittance, and marveled at the bridge that arced over the canyon that lay between her and the hall. It seemed to be made of the spine and ribs of a massive creature. She approached the bridge cautiously as a figure stepped into her path.
She looked up at him. He was huge. She barely reached the belt he wore, and she thought the sword strapped to his back had a blade longer than she was tall. He broke into the thoughts racing around her mind.
"What brings you here, wayfarer grim, to wander here, in Sovngarde, souls-end, Shor's gift to the honored dead?" His voice was like the rolling of distant thunder.
She squared her shoulders and faced him. She brought her will to bear, and faced him down. "Dar'adhavi pursues Alduin, the World-Eater."
He nodded. "A fateful errand. No few have chafed to face the Worm since first he set his soul-snare here at Sovngarde's threshold. But Shor restrained our wrathful onslaught- perhaps, deep-counseled, your doom he foresaw."
"This one seeks entrance to the Hall of Valor." She wanted to inch away and climb a pillar. This was going to lead to a fight, she just knew it.
He studied her. "No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?"
She blinked. She had become used to everyone knowing who she was. "By the twinned rights of Birth and Cunning. Dar'adhavi is Dragonborn, and Champion to the Lord of the Never-There."
The guardian, who could only be the god Tsun, smiled at her response, pleased. "Ah! It's been too long since last I faced a doom-driven hero of the dragon blood. And your Lord has chosen His Champion well."
She looked past him, along the bridge. "Khajiit can enter the Hall of Valor, yes?"
Tsun shook his head sadly. "Living or dead, by decree of Shor, none may pass this perilous bridge 'til I judge them worthy by the warrior's test."
He drew his sword, definitely bigger than me, and swung. She dodged and clambered up a pillar, firing an arrow as soon as she was up. He struck the pillar, and she leapt to the next, shooting him again as he freed his weapon from the wreckage. She jumped a few pillars ahead and fired again and he sheathed his weapon, beaming up at her.
"You fought well. I find you worthy. It is long since one of the living has entered here. May Shor's favor follow you and your errand."
She hopped off the pillar and approached the bridge, finally getting a good look at it.
It was a spine. Held together with wires as thick as her arm, but it was a spine. She swallowed and crossed gingerly. When she reached the far side, she opened one of the great doors to reveal a feasting hall. There were tables ahead, groaning under the weight of whole roast oxen, and innumerable other dishes. A glance to her left showed a massive throne, currently vacant, with a number of warriors brawling before it. To her right, there were massive kegs, large enough to pickle a mammoth.
She stopped as a figure approached her, and she knew without knowing how that this was Ysgramor, the ancient warrior that all Nords still held in high esteem.
"Welcome, Dragonborn! Our door has stood empty since Alduin first set his soul-snare here. By Shor's command we sheathed our blades and ventured not the vale's dark mist. But three await your word to loose their fury upon the perilous foe. Gormlaith the fearless, glad-hearted in battle; Hakon the valiant, heavy-handed warrior; Felldir the Old, far-seeing and grim."
He gestured across the hall, and she saw the three that she had watched in the Elder Scroll. She approached them, to be greeted warmly.
"At long last! Alduin's doom is now ours to seal! Just speak the word and with high hearts we'll hasten forth to smite the worm wherever he lurks," Gormlaith cried at her approach.
"Hold, comrades! Let us counsel take before battle is blindly joined," Felldir warned. "Alduin's mist is more than a snare, its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak. But with four Voices joined, our valor combined, we can blast the mist and bring him to battle."
"Felldir speaks wisdom," Hakon said, turning to her. "The World-Eater, coward, fears you, Dragonborn. We must drive away his mist, Shouting together, and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe."
Gormlaith drew her sword and led the way to the doors. "To battle, my friends! The fields will echo with the clamor of war, our wills undaunted."
There was a cheer among the gathered warriors as they passed, and countless of them offered hands to clasp, or a quick squeeze of her shoulders. They marched across the bridge, the older three letting Dar'adhavi take the lead, much to her amusement. She nodded at Tsun as she passed, hearing him say, "The eyes of Shor are upon you this day. Defeat Alduin, and destroy his soul-snare."
She stood before the great bridge, the three Tongues of the past arrayed behind her, and Shouted the Words Paarthurnax had taught her, the others Shouting a beat behind. The mists cleared, and Alduin roared from elsewhere in Sovengarde. The mists rolled back, but she and the Tongues Shouted them clear once more. Again, Alduin called down the mist, and again the four cleared it.
Finally, Alduin flew over the horizon, and Dar'adhavi Shouted him to a landing.
"You are persistent, Dovahkiin. Pruzeh ol aar. A fine slave you would have made."
She snarled at him, as Gormlaith and Hakon charged. She stood back with Felldir, matching his spells with her arrows. She ran short and drew her sword, calling down Dragonrend again and, mimicking Gormlaith's attack, leapt onto his head, driving her blade through one red eye.
She jumped free as Alduin cried, "Zu'u unslaad! zu'u nis oblaan!" and rose.
She readied for another attack, but once he finished rearing back, he seemed to explode into light. She lowered her sword as Tsun approached.
"This was a mighty deed! The doom of Alduin encompassed at last, and cleansed is Sovngarde of his evil snare. They will sing of this battle in Shor's hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere. When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome you again, with glad friendship and bid you join the blessed feasting." He beamed at her, and she looked up at him, confused.
"Is he dead? When Dar'adhavi slew dragons in the past, there was fire."
He shook his head, guiding her away. "The answers you seek are not to be known by mortals, even such as you. Set it aside, and rejoice in your victory."
She slowly sheathed her sword as the heroes who called Sovengarde home cheered her.
Tsun looked down at her. "When you are ready to rejoin the living, just bid me so, and I will send you back."
She nodded, feeling empty somehow. "Send this one back, then."
"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord: a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need. Nahl Daal Vus!"
She staggered a bit as she returned to Nirn, and looked up. The Throat was currently host to several dragons, perched upon the rocks and circling the peak.
In unison, the dragons called, "Alduin mahlaan!"
A single dragon called, "Sahrot thur qahnaraan!" And rose to join the circling dragons above.
Again, the dragons called, "Alduin mahlaan!"
A second dragon spoke. "Dovahkiin los ak dovahkriid," and joined the ones in the sky.
"Alduin mahlaan!"
Another cried, "Thu'umii los nahlot!"
"Alduin mahlaan!"
Another said, "Mu los vamir!"
She watched the circling dragons, and tried to recognize them individually, and failed. She turned to Paarthurnax.
"So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been." He hadn't looked at her, but continued to watch his brethren in the sky.
"You don't sound very happy about it."
He looked at her now. "Happy? No, I am not happy. Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu. Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation. You did what was necessary. Alduin had flown far from the path of right action in his pahlok, the arrogance of his power. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same." He shook himself. "But I forget myself. Krosis. So los mid ahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah, one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savor your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of Time. Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age." He leapt into the air to join the rest, and called down, "Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen, rightness of my Thu'um. But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well, Dovahkiin!"
He flew off, and she considered what to do next. Odahviing landed beside her, and she saw Sahlokniir land past him. Vulthuryol landed behind her, and she smiled. Odahviing and Sahlokniir were watching Paarthurnax.
Finally Odahviing shook his head and turned to her. "Pruzah wundunne wah Wuth Gein. I wish the old one luck in his... quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin's lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax's 'Way of the Voice'. As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um. Zu'u Odahviing. Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can."
She looked at Sahlokniir. "Does dar'adhavi have your loyalty, as she has Odahviing's?" she asked as Odahviing flew off.
The white head nodded. "Indeed, Thuri. And I will strive to convince others to bow to your will, as well." With that, Sahlokniir left to join Odahviing.
She looked back at Vulthuryol. "Dar'adhavi has a feeling she don't have a choice about you."
He chuckled. "Niid. But you wished to deal with the Blades, yes?"
She laughed. "Oh, yes. Khajiit believes that Delphine wishes to turn this one into a dragonslayer, and nothing more."
She mounted, and guided him to the Temple the Blades were hiding in. She was slowly getting used to flight, but she preferred Rogue. Vulthuryol glided over the mountain, landing softly in the courtyard. She grinned when she saw both Blades, standing beneath one of the arches, talking quietly.
"I used to dream of it." Esbern was saying. She stopped to listen. "In the dream, I was standing... someplace high up... a tower, or a mountain. It was always just before dawn. The whole world was in darkness. Then came the flash of light– just on the horizon, within the clouds that mark the border between worlds. It could have been lightning, but there was no thunder. In the dream, the sense of foreboding grew, but I could never wake up. Then it came again, this time more distinct. Closer. Definitely not lightning now. It was orange– brilliant orange, the color of hearth and dawn." Dar'adhavi grinned over at the brilliantly orange Vulthuryol. "And a sound, too. Distinct and indistinct. Not thunder... something else. Something I should recognize, but in the dream I cannot place it. I want to leave my high place, to seek shelter. From what, I don't yet know. In the manner of dreams, I cannot escape. I'm forced to wait and watch. Then, finally, realization and horror arrive together. The orange is flame, heat. The sound a roar, a challenge in their ancient tongue. But now it's too late for escape. The dragon is upon me– fire and darkness descending like a thunderbolt. And not just any dragon, but the Dragon– Alduin, the World-Eater, the dragon who devours both the living and the dead. And then I would wake up. And hope that it was just a dream... but know that it was not."
Before Delphine could reply, Dar'adhavi said, "It matters little now. The World-Eater is dead, slain by Khajiit's own hand."
The Blades whirled around when she spoke, and Delphine had her sword half-drawn when Dar'adhavi Shouted the first word of Force, causing them to stumble back a step.
"Dar'adhavi wishes to speak to the Blades, not a pair of cowering elders. Can you be such again?"
"There is a dragon behind you," Esbern said, faintly.
"Indeed, and he is this one's brother-in-soul. Touch him, and Dar'adhavi will finish what the Thalmor started with your... order," she sneered the last word. The two humans gaped at her, and Delphine did not sheathe her sword. Dar'adhavi gave a bit of credit to her for not drawing it fully. "All the Dov that fly now answer to Dar'adhavi. If you slay one of them, this one swears by all the gods, living and dead, she will end you." She turned and mounted, looking down on the two. "Dar'adhavi will be needing your order later. Find recruits and build your numbers."
She nudged Vulthuryol, and he flew her to Ivarstead. He landed on the crypt near the town and flew off as she went to collect Rogue. She rode into Riften late, and paid for a bed in the Bee and Barb before she faced the Guild. She saw Sapphire in the main room, and sent a message, asking for everyone to meet her in the morning.
She stripped and fell into her bed.
She glanced up at the stars and galaxies, then sighed and entered the throne room.
She walked down the runner and bowed to Sheogorath. He cocked an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? And what's this supposed to be?"
She looked up, surprised. "Dar'adhavi finished. Alduin lies dead in Sovengarde. She thought... You aren't dismissing this one?"
He chortled as he rose and approached her. "My dear, sweet, favored, mortal. I certainly didn't invest this much time into you to cast you aside once things get really interesting, now would I? I mean, I can't keep dragging you back here as often anymore, true, but you're a smart kitten, and I certainly plan on keepin' my eye on you. You still are my Champion, after all."
She grinned. "You figured out what this one plans, yes?"
"Oh, yes. And I plan on having a front-row seat to watch, too. By the by, I adored how you put the Blades in their place. Marvelous."
She grinned and spent the rest of her night laying plans with the Madgod.
She rose the next morning, dressing carefully, and made her way down into the Flagon. She grabbed a bite to eat from Vekel, and waited as the rest of the Guild filed in, in varying stages of wakefulness. She tried to hide her impatience as everyone woke more. And grinned as Delvin, Brynjolf, Vex, and Karliah sat with her.
"Alright, lass, you've got us all here. Now, what's this about?" Brynjolf grumbled.
"This one said she had a big job planned, yes? Dar'adhavi will require assistance with it. The pay will be great, as will the risk. Are you all interested?"
"Bleedin' hell, Boss, just tell us the job already. Half of us have money ridin' on it."
She grinned. "Khajiit can guarantee that no one is close."
She glanced around the Flagon, making sure she had the full attention of all of her thieves. Carefully, she drew the Jagged crown out of her pack and set it on the table before her as the gathered thieves gasped.
"Boss, that's..." Delvin breathed, reverently.
She nodded, grin widening as she heard Sheggorath's laughter ring in her ears. "It is. So. How would you all like helping Dar'adhavi steal an Empire?"