Before we start this chapter there is something you readers should know. In the quest, you encounter Brynjolf in Riften and start the Thieves Guild Questline. However, I am not going to let Blackheart be involved in the Thieves Guild. Blackheart is more hero-like than a villain. However, he will have brief encounters with the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood. (Little spoiler right there) Blackheart will be involved mostly with the Companions and the College of Winterhold. (Another spoiler right there) As for the Civil War, I'll let you decide on that.

Now that that's covered, let's get started.

Chapter 24

It has been a long travel to Riften, but Blackheart, Lydia and M'aiq were near almost near Riften. As they were approaching, Lydia looks over at Blackheart and said "My Thane, can I ask you something?"

Blackheart replied "Sure, ask away."

Lydia said "You said your real name was Jonathan. Why did you start to call yourself Blackheart?"

Blackheart laughed under his helmet and said "Actually, everyone started to call me Blackheart."

When Lydia was about to ask him, Blackheart said "It all started when my father died. When me and my dad were trying to fix Project Purity along with other scientists, we were ambushed by the Enclave. When he sacrificed himself, I felt…changed. Before, it was all fun and games for me. But when my dad died for me, it opened my eyes. Even though I didn't notice, everyone around me saw the cruel actions I did to every person who crossed me. Thank god it was only on people who deserve to die."

He took a deep breath and said "When a group of mercenaries called the Talon Company came after me, I did not think things through and just marched into their stronghold. Even though I was shot multiple times, I not only killed their leader, but also drove them out of the Capital Wasteland. After that, people started to call me Blackheart."

"Wow," Lydia said, "I-I did not know that. Sorry if I brought it up."

"It's alright," Blackheart said, "Though I fell bad for giving up my real name."

"Why is that?" M'aiq asked.

Blackheart replied "My mom was the one who gave me that name before she died."

When Lydia was about to say something, Blackheart said "We're almost there."

Once they were near the north entrance, a guard stopped them and said "Hold it there. There is a tax you all need to pay."

"What?" Blackheart said, "Why do we have to pay a tax?"

The guard replied "To visit the beauty of Riften."

Blackheart looks at Lydia, "We never paid a tax when we went to Whiterun or Solitude. What gives?"

Lydia replied "This is obvious a shakedown. They just want more coins in their pockets so that…"

The guard then said "Alright, keep it down. Just all of you go in and keep quiet."

And with that, the three of them entered Riften. M'aiq then said "That is a first for M'aiq. Besides Whiterun, the guards allowed M'aiq to enter the hold."

"Yeah," Blackheart said, "Why is that?"

M'aiq then said "M'aiq does not know. So, how are we going to find this Ratway?"

Blackheart thought for a moment and said "I know asking anyone won't get us anywhere. I know, let's see if Mephala can sense if anyone knows the Ratway."

"Oh sure," Mephala said, "Use me and not let me have any saying in this."

"Okay," Blackheart said, "Mephala, would you like to help us?"

There was a moment of silence when Mephala said "Fine, it's not like there is anything I can say or do to get out of this."

Blackheart simply shook his head and he, Lydia and M'aiq started to look around the center of town. After traveling around, Mephala said "Heads up, look for the man in red hair."

As Blackheart and the others were looking around, they eventually found their man. He was standing in front of one of the stands. As Blackheart and the others walked up to him, the man looks at them said "Hello there friends, my name is Brynjolf. What can I do for you?"

M'aiq replied "M'aiq heard from a 'special' friend that you know where we can find a certain person in the Ratway."

"Ah," Brynjolf said, "You are looking for someone in the Ratway? I might tell you, but you have to do something for me first."

"What is it?" Blackheart said.

Brynjolf said "You have to do a little errand for me that deals with a little 'obtaining'."

Blackheart said "How do I know you are trying to set me up?"

All of a sudden, Mephala said "I believe you can trust him. After all, he is the second in command to the Thieves Guild."

There was a moment of silence when Brynjolf said "Who or what said that?"

Acting innocent, Lydia said "I didn't hear anything. M'aiq, did you hear anything?"

M'aiq shook his head as Blackheart said "Must be in your head."

"I guess your right," Brynjolf said, "I thought—Hey, who are they?"

As he pointed behind them, the three of them turn to see and saw no one. When they turn around, Brynjolf was already go and running off in the distance.

"Ah shit," Blackheart said as they were chasing after him, "Don't let him get away!"

As they followed him to the graveyard, Lydia was right behind him. As Brynjolf entered a tomb, Lydia said "I got him!"

Right before she was about to enter the tomb, Brynjolf closed the wooden metal doors behind him, causing the doors to hit Lydia on the face. As she fell to the floor on her ass, she whined "Ah, son of a bitch! That hurts!"

As Blackheart and M'aiq rushed up to her, Blackheart said "What happen? I thought you handle this?"

As Lydia got up, she said "Shut up. We need to get this open."

When Blackheart took out Vengeance, he said "Okay, stand back. Let me blast this down."

Right before he was about to shoot the door, Lydia panic and said "Wait, stop! We don't want any attention!"

"Damn it," Blackheart said as he puts away Vengeance, "Alright, we'll lockpick it then."

As Blackheart begins to lockpicks it, it was taking a long time to actually open it. But in a matter of time, Blackheart manage to open it. But once he opens the door, all there was that was in the tomb was nothing. Brynjolf was gone!

"What the fuck?!" Blackheart said, "Where did he go?"

M'aiq looks around and said "M'aiq can sense that he was here, but M'aiq doesn't see him."

"Look around," Blackheart said, "There must be a secret switch. Damn it Mephala, why did you have to say that?"

Mephala said "I just said that he was second in command of the Thieves Guild."

"I know you said that," Blackheart said, "But who are they?"

Mephala said "They are a group of thieves who make their living by stealing for profit. At least I got his attention."

As Blackheart rolled his eyes, he walked up to the tomb and found a diamond-shape symbol on the tomb, with a small circle on it. When Blackheart pressed the small circle, the tomb started to push towards the wall and showed a hidden passage.

"Looks like I found out how our friend got away," Blackheart said, "Come on."

"No way!" Lydia said as she sniffs the air, "That's the sewer!"

"Oh come on," M'aiq said, "M'aiq has suffered worse than this."

Lydia looks at him and said "I just know that was a lie."

"Ah!" M'aiq said, "Remember, when I lie, it's true. But when I tell the truth, it's a lie. And you assume it was a lie, so it must be truth."

As Lydia rolled her eyes, Blackheart then said "If it helps, I'll go first."

When Blackheart removed the planks, he started to climb down the ladder. After him was Lydia then M'aiq. When Blackheart was about to touch the ground, Lydia said "I hope nothing happen to us."

When Blackheart got off the ladder and turns around, there were a group of people wearing Thieves Guild Armor pointing their weapons at him. Once Lydia and M'aiq got down from the ladder, they saw the thieves pointing their weapons on them.

Blackheart lazily looks over at Lydia and said "You just have to ruin it."

As Lydia smiles innocently, Brynjolf steps through the crowd and said "So, how did you know that I was second in command?"

Blackheart said "If there is anyone to blame, it's Mephala."

Mephala then said "Not my fault that this man lies."

"You have a Daedric Lord at your side?" a voice in the crowd said.

When Blackheart was about to ask who it was, an older man emerged from the crowd and said "Just who are these people?"

Brynjolf replied "They are intruders, Mercer."

The man identified as Mercer said "You know what we do to intruders."

Brynjolf nodded and said "Everyone, ready your weapons."

As everyone raised their weapons, Blackheart said "Fuck it, get ready everyone."

When Blackheart took out his Gauss Rifle, Lydia took out her sword and M'aiq readied his spell, a voice in the crowd said "Wait, don't attack."

A man who had a hood covering his face said "That's him. That's the man who not only saved me but killed the Thalmor."

Blackheart had no idea what the man was saying until he removed his hood. Blackheart was surprised, the man who was talking was Etienne.

"It's you!" Blackheart said, "You're that one guy from the embassy!"

"That's right," Etienne said as he turns to Mercer, "Mercer, this is the man saved me from the Thalmors."

As everyone looks at Blackheart, he simply said "Hi."

"He is still intruding the Thieves Guild," one of them was a female thief name Sapphire who said, "I say we get rid of them."

"Sapphire," Mercer said, "Even though you are in the right mind, we still show respect to those who save one of us. Everyone, weapons down."

He then turns to Blackheart and said "Forgive our manners, I am Mercer Frey, the Guild Master."

"Nice to meet you," Blackheart said, "I am Blackheart and these are my friends, Lydia and M'aiq."

As the two waved, Mercer said "I thank you for saving Etienne. Though the boy do tends to get in trouble, we were worried what the Thalmor did to him."

"It's no problem," Blackheart said.

"So," Brynjolf said, "Who exactly are you looking for?"

Before Blackheart can answer, Etienne said "You are here to find that crazy old man from the Ratway?"

Blackheart replied "Sounds like Esbern. We need him to come with us to find out about the dragons."

"He is hiding out in the warrens," Brynjolf said, "But all we ask for return is…"

"I know," Blackheart said, "We do not let anyone know of the existence of the Thieves Guild."

"Actually," Brynjolf said, "That is not what we have in mind, but fine."

Blackheart said "Wait what?"

"Etienne," Mercer said, "Please lead our 'guest' to the crazy man."

When Etienne agreed, he leads then to the Ragged Flagon. Once they were in the Ragged Flagon, some of the Thieves Guild members were there. The members that were present there were Delvin, Vex, Tonilia, Vekel and Dirge. When Etienne was showing them the way to the warrens, Blackheart saw someone hitting on Vex, which in Blackheart's mind was thinking she was not enjoying. But something about the man made Blackheart wonder where he had seen him.

"Is there anything else you need to know?" Etienne asked.

Blackheart replied "A couple. First, where is that girl you came with?"

"Oh, you mean Brelas?" Etienne said, "Yeah, she is working at the Bee and Bard. Once in a while I go and check on her."

"Looks like someone is protective," Lydia said.

Before Etienne was about to say something, Blackheart said "That guy looks familiar."

"Who are you talking about?" M'aiq asked.

As Blackheart pointed at the man who was talking to Vex, Etienne immediately knew who he was and took out his bow, aimed and fired his arrow at the man, killing him instant.

"What the fuck?!" Blackheart said, "Why did you do that?"

Vex was alarmed and saw Etienne with his bow and said "Why did you do that?! You could have hit me!"

Etienne replied "That man was Gissur. He was the one who brought me to the Thalmor and later tortured me!"

"Wait a second," Blackheart said, "He's with the Thalmor?"

Etienne replied "Yes, why?"

"Shit!" Blackheart said, "That means they are on their way! Lydia, M'aiq, go find Esbern and make sure to protect him."

Lydia looks at her Thane and said "What about you?"

Blackheart took out his Gauss Rifle and said "I'll be fine. Just go."

When the two agreed, Lydia and M'aiq entered the warrens. Blackheart then looks at Etienne and said "If you don't want your friends to get captured by the Thalmor, lead them back to your hideout."

When Etienne agreed, he informed his other members and they quickly followed him. Once everyone made it past the hidden door, Etienne closed it and left Blackheart outside. Blackheart suddenly hear voices coming from one end of the Flagged Flagon and readied himself.

Mephala then said "Are you sure you can handle them?"

Blackheart said "One way to find out."

After 20 minutes of searching, Lydia said "Are you sure we can find him here?"

"Yes," M'aiq said as the two of them walked up the stairs, "Do you trust M'aiq's sense of smell?"

"A bit," Lydia said.

Once they made it up the stairs and past a few cells, they found a metal door that was seal shut. When the two walked up to it and Lydia knocked, the shutters open and an old man said "Go away, I want to be left alone!"

And with that, the shutters closed. Lydia said "Are you Esbern? We need your help."

The old man replied "There is nothing for me to help you with!"

"Yes you can!" Lydia said, "Delphine sent us! She said to remember the 30th of Frostfall!"

"Delphine?" Esbern asked, "I can't believe it! She is still alive? Hold on, let me open the door."

As Esbern began to unlock the door, he said "I had no idea she was alive. I have thought that she was gone like the rest."

It took nearly a whole minute before Esbern opened the door. When he opened the door, it revealed to be Esbern who, indeed, an old man who was bald and was wearing dirty rags.

"Come on, quickly," Esbern said, "Before anyone else comes."

Lydia and M'aiq quickly entered as Esbern began to lock the door again. After he was done, M'aiq said "M'aiq is curious on why you have a tight security."

Esbern said "For protection of my life."

Lydia then said "Anyways, we are he because you know why the dragons are returning. Do you know why?"

Esbern said "Isn't it obvious?"

When Lydia shook her head, Esbern said in a grim tone "Alduin has returned!"

As M'aiq stood there confused, Lydia's face turned pale and said "Alduin?! The World Eater himself?! But that is impossible, the Tongues killed him!"

Esbern shook his head and said "No, my girl. They merely delayed his conquest. And now that he has return, he will devour us all, just like the prophecy foretold."

M'aiq then said "Who is this Alduin?"

Esbern replied "He is known as the God of Destruction and the World Eater. He once conquered Skyrim thousands of years ago. But now he has returned to finish what he started."

"There has to be a way to stop him!" Lydia said, "There has to be!"

Esbern said "It is hopeless, my dear. And since the Dragonborn doesn't exist, then there is no way to truly kill Alduin. Face it, we should just accept our fate."

"That's not true," Lydia said, "There is still hope! You see, my Thane is the Dragonborn himself."

Esbern eyes widen and said "Don't fool me around, young lady."

M'aiq said "It is true. M'aiq has seen him absorb a dragon's soul before his eyes."

With an ecstatic look, Esbern said "Then the Dragonborn really is here?! Where is he?!"

Lydia replied "He stood behind to fight off the Thalmor. There are on their way to find you."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Esbern said, "Let me get a few supplies and aid the Dragonborn. There may be hope after all!"

As Esbern was getting supplies, Lydia said "I hope my Thane is alright."

"This is fucking bullshit!" Blackheart yelled as five Thalmor Wizards were using their Lightning Chain Spell on him.

During the time Lydia and M'aiq went to find Esbern, 8 Thalmors entered the Flagged Flagon and started to attack him. Blackheart manage to kill three of them, but here he is now, covering himself behind the table trying to figure out what to do. He then took out two of his Plasma Pistols and began to fire. One of the shot hit one of the Thalmor in the shoulders, but they healed themselves. Just as things were about to get worse, a bolt of lightning flew past Blackheart from behind and hit one of the Thalmor. When he looks back, he saw M'aiq, Lydia and Esbern already returned from the warrens.

"About time you guys show up," Blackheart said, "What took you so long?"

Lydia replied "We had to get a few supplies."

Just as the Thalmor were about to attack, Esbern summoned a Storm Atronach and started to attack the Thalmor. Having an idea, Blackheart took out Sanguine Staff and summoned a Dremora Lord. As the Daedra beings caused a distraction, Blackheart and the others made their way as they each took on a Thalmor on their own.

M'aiq used his Fireball Spell to at least take damage to the Thalmor, but the elf summoned a Steadfast Ward and blocks the Fireball. The Thalmor then launched a Firebolt Spell at M'aiq, but then he summoned his own Steadfast Ward and blocks the Firebolt Spell. M'aiq then raised his left hand and sends a bolt of lightning to the Thalmor. Just as the Thalmor dodges the lightning, M'aiq already had his right hand charged with a Paralyze Spell and fires it to the Thalmor. Once the Thalmor was paralyzed, M'aiq uses his Bound Bow Spell and shot three arrows to the Thalmor, killing them on the spot.

Lydia was having a difficult time fighting the Thalmor. The elf had used a Bound Sword Spell to fight Lydia off. Just as things were getting worse, the Thalmor used their Fireball Spell and completely destroyed Lydia's Iron Shield. Leaving her wide open for an attack, the Thalmor raised their sword and brought it down on Lydia. In a fast reflex, Lydia manages to block the sword and pushes the Thalmor back. When the Thalmor rushes to Lydia once more, Lydia pulled something out of her side and thrust it into the Thalmor's chest. The Thalmor felt a sharp pain in their chest and when they looked down, they saw Lydia holding an Iron Dagger. After she pulled the dagger out of the Thalmor's body, they fell dead.

Esbern may have been an old man, but he was once one of the most deadly Blade members there was. As he uses an Ebonyflesh Spell, he had a Steel Dagger in his right hand that was currently using on a Thalmor. As the Thalmor was evading Esbern's attacks, the Thalmor brought up their Elven Sword and onto Esbern's skin, but it didn't penetrate. Seizing an opportunity, Esbern unleashed a blast of fire to the Thalmor, burning them alive.

Blackheart's battle was faster than anyone else. As the Thalmor swung their sword, Blackheart shouts "FEIM!"

Blackheart's body turned into that of a ghost and the sword went right through him. When Blackheart's body was solid once more, he took out Mephala and stabs the Thalmor in the back, killing them on the spot. As the two Daedra beings killed the last two Thalmors, they disappeared and returned back to Oblivion.

When he puts Mephala away, Esbern walks up to Blackheart and said "And you are?"

Blackheart replied "My name is Blackheart, I'm the Dragonborn."

"Ah," Esbern said, "So you are the Dragonborn. Let me say, it is a true honor to be at your presence."

"Um," Blackheart said, "Thanks? Anyways, Delphine said you can help."

"Of course I can," Esbern said, "As I told your friends here that the cause of the dragons returning is the work of Alduin."

Blackheart then said "Alduin…where have I heard that name before?"

Esbern said "He is the World Eater. Alduin is the one who almost ruled Skyrim centuries ago. Now he has return and the only one who can stop him is you."

"He's a what?!" Blackheart said in a surprised way, "How the fuck am I suppose to go up against someone like that?!"

"My Thane," Lydia said, "You said you heard that name, where?"

Blackheart replied "Remember when we first went to that first dragon burial? I heard the dragons talking to each other. One of them said the name Alduin."

"The dragons talking?" M'aiq said, "But M'aiq did not hear them speak."

"Nor have I," Lydia said, "How can you understand them?"

Esbern said "It's the Dragon Blood in him. Not only does he have the ability to absorb a dragon's soul, but also the language of their tongue."

Blackheart said "Of course, that's why I could understand them."

Then it hit him and said "So that's how they are coming back!"

"I did tell you that Alduin is responsible," Esbern said.

"No," Blackheart said, "Of course it's Alduin. But what I am saying is that the black dragon that was there in the burial was giving the dead dragon some of its power. After that, the dead dragon was back in full power. I am guessing that the black dragon was Alduin the whole time!"

Everyone's face turn pale and Lydia said "Y-Y-You mean…that the World Eater was there? Right in front of us?"

Blackheart nodded and said "We should go back to Delphine."

Just then, Brynjolf entered the Flagged Flagon and said "Well, look at the mess you made."

"Sorry," Blackheart said, "Anyway to hide the bodies?"

Brynjolf replied "I might have an idea."

"Ready?" Brynjolf said as he was holding the last dead Thalmor by the arms while Blackheart was holding it by the legs.

Blackheart replied "Ready."

As they started to swing the body, they threw it over the balcony and into the bottom of the catacombs. When Blackheart and Brynjolf exited the warrens, Brynjolf closed the door and said "There, now if the Thalmor get suspicious and sends another squad, they will find the rest in there."

Blackheart cracked his neck and said "Those elves sure weigh heavy."

He then looks at Lydia with her broken shield and said "Looks like you need a replacement."

"Yeah," Lydia said as she tossed it, "Would hurt to get a new sword too."

"Here," Brynjolf said as he signals them to follow him, "We might spare a few weapons."

When they entered the Cistern, Brynjolf lead them to the weaponry room and said "Please, take what you like."

As Lydia observed the weapons, Blackheart said "Nah, I'm good with my weapons. It's just for Lydia. Again, thanks for your…M'aiq put that back."

Brynjolf saw M'aiq almost taking a handful of gems and he said "Sorry, M'aiq can't help but give into his old habits."

As Lydia got an Elven Sword and an Elven Shield and said "Okay, I got what I need."

"Great," Blackheart said as he turns to Esbern, "Now let's got before anything else happens."

As Esbern agrees, Blackheart turns to Brynjolf and said "Thanks again."

"Please," Brynjolf said, "You are all welcome here anytime."

After their last goodbyes, Blackheart and the others left the Cistern and back to the surface of Riften. Once in the surface, Mephala said "We are in Riften, right?"

Blackheart replied "Yeah, why?"

Mephala said "You should go to that Fort Dawnguard. You know, where that one Orc told you to go after that vampire attack in Morthal."

Realizing what she was saying, after they all left Riften using the south gate, Blackheart said "Lydia, M'aiq, can you do me a favor?"

When the two of them looked at him and agreed, Blackheart said "I need you two to take Esbern to Delphine without me."

Shocked, Esbern said "Dragonborn, what is so more important than Alduin?"

Blackheart replied "Let's just say it's big problem."

He then looks at Lydia and said "Certain 'blood suckers' that are involve."

Realizing what he was saying, Lydia said "Of course, my Thane. Come on, we have to move before anymore Thalmor arrive."

Before anyone could say anything, Lydia said "Trust him."

In defeat, Esbern and M'aiq agreed and M'aiq said "Are you sure you don't any help from M'aiq?"

Blackheart said "I'll be fine. Take care of Esbern. We'll meet back at the Sleeping Giant."

Once everyone agreed, they went their different way. Now was the time for Blackheart to go to Fort Dawnguard and find out more about these vampires. If he can find out more about this Harkon guy and what he is planning, he had to stop it. Not only he had to stop a vampire from taking over Skyrim and turning it into his feeding grounds, but also stop Alduin from also taking over Skyrim with his fellow dragon followers.

That is when Blackheart thought to himself "What can possible go wrong?"

And now you know what happens next, the Dawnguard Questline! That's right, it's time for some vampire action! Until then review!