Chapter 27: Return to Death
The Second Dragon War (27)
We need saviors to free us from Alduin's rage
Heroes to lead us in this new war to wage.
Skyrim, 4E 201, Exact date not recorded
Skuldafn
Valer lopped the head off of a Draugr Deathloard, and threw his dagger into an archer's head. He looked up to see an Elder dragon fly over his head.
"Skuldafn fen kos dinok!"
Those words were burned into his head.
Skuldafn will be death.
Skyrim, 4E 207, 5th of Evening Star
"Let me see if I have this right. You're telling me that when the Serpent constellation faces Secunda and Masser, hundreds, possibly thousands of dragons will just...attack?" Ulfric asked.
Valer was sitting on the opposite end of the table, looking at him blankly.
"Yep. That's it."
Serana became frantic. "Wha- um. What he means to say is that we'll take care of it. Hopefully."
Ulfric groaned and sat back in his seat.
"I'll be damned if I can have one month without an epidemic. I'm willing to bet the other rulers of Tamriel would say the same. What would you suggest I do?"
"Get everyone out of Skyrim as fast as you can. We only have less than a week."
Ulfric stared at him with a stoic look on his face. Then, he shrugged.
"Right. Get everyone out. Genius. You do realize that dragons are all over Tamreil? Where will they run?"
"It's not about running. It's about avoiding the center of activity until we can stop this."
Ulfric nodded tiredly and stood. He started to walk to his room.
"Fine. Just do what needs to be done. I'm putting Skyrim in your hands."
Serana and Valer looked at each other.
"Is it just me or does Ulfric seem tired?" She said.
Valer shook his head. "He's already lost hope. Within five seconds. He just needs to rest. I read that he had to renovate 70 percent of Skyrim over the span of half a year. The man deserves some peace."
Serana nodded. Valer stood and led her out. "Where are we going?"
"Skuldafn."
-Somewhere in the Jerall Mountains-
Valer exhaled. Durnehviir hung back, giving them privacy. Serana was in awe.
Before her was destruction. Before her was something of legend. Something of myth.
Before her...was death.
Covering the grounds were corpses. Lots of them. Draugr littered the floor with the occasional dragon. One of them had a sword embedded in its skull. Valer drew in a shaky breath.
"This...is Skuldafn."
She shook her head in disbelief. "How...how long did this take?"
He casually counted in his head. "Fifteen minutes."
Her eyes widened even more.
He led her up the stairs on a trail away from the bodies, until they reached the summit. Below was a large circle with a symbol on it. The Portal to Sovngarde. Valer had a small glimpse of when he jumped through and crossed the threshold. He shivered. Serana sensed it.
"Look, if this is too much, we can-"
"I'm fine. Just...I need to find the Betrayed and the Forsaken."
Serana blinked. "What?"
"Before Paarthurnax...died, he told me they'd help me. I don't know what Zahrahmiik and the Vokriial are planning besides the end of everything, but I'll need to find out."
Serana nodded in understanding before giving him a look. "How will you find them?"
Valer smirked. "Dur Neh Viir!"
The deteriorated dragon manifested before them, hovering above the portal.
"Qahnaarin, fos los nii hi yah?" Durnehviir asked.
"Do you know where I can find the Betrayed and the Forsaken?"
Durnehviir reeled back in shock.
Valer raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"Qahnaarin...these dov...they are not, as you jul say, normal."
Valer glanced at Serana, who shrugged. It was strange to see a dragon scared of anything. Especially Durnehviir.
"Durnehviir, what's special about these two?" Serana asked.
Durnehviir narrowed his eyes. "I have spent most of my life in the Soul Cairn, and have seen things that are unspeakable. But these dov...I cannot tell you where they are, but I know a dovah who does."
-Palace of Kings, Windhelm-
Ulfric listened intently. After a good rest, his mind registered the impending doom, and kicked into priority mode. He had immediately sent a message to all holds, apprising them to migrate from Skyrim until the threat is dealt with, if ever. But as they did, a group of armored individuals walked into the palace. They were Blades.
"My king, we come with news that will be pleasing to your ears." The leader said.
She was a young Nord woman, around her late twenties or early thirties, and was obviously the head of the group, and possibly the whole organization. There was something on her back that Ulfric thought was familiar.
He held his head high. "What is your name?"
The woman smiled. "Delphine. Grandmaster of the Blades."
Ulfric furrowed his eyebrows. He remembered Valer speaking highly of them. They did seem organized.
"Alright. State your business."
"As you know, we've had experience with dragons. For centuries, my ancestors have hunted them down, learned their weaknesses. Well, I'm here today to tell you we have found their ultimate drawback."
She reached behind her and took out the thing on her back. It was an elder scroll.
"This. My ancestors found out that the dragons hold some sort of fear of these elder scrolls, and, seeing as they're now enemy number one, we can use this. We've had it for generations, just waiting for the opportunity to use it."
Ulfric thought for a moment. If they used it, it could end the dragon menace for good. Then again, a good number of them were allies.
"What about the allied dragons? Will it...work on them too?"
A tad bit of anger was seen in her face. "Sadly, yes. But a few sacrifices for the greater good are worth it, don't you think?"
He narrowed his eyes. "No. Thanks."
"Sir, I would urge you to reconsider. If we don't act now, it may be too late."
Ulfric opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. She was right. If he didn't, it could lead to the extinction or enslavement of...well, everyone. Valer would understand. Hopefully.
He stood up, making them kneel. "Blade?"
She looked up. Determination was in her eyes, and it matched his hope.
"Do what you have to do."
Delphine smiled. "Thank you, your grace. You've made the right choice."
They turned and left. By Talos, Ulfric wished he did.