~O~
Touching the Sky
A Falmer fell on top of Anja.
Its mouth snapped inches from her face, drool dripping onto her. Vyrthur laughed with delight as they struggled against the Falmer and Chaurus enemies.
"Did you think I would not be prepared for this?" he demanded. "The Dragonborn knocking down my door? I know all of what you're capable of, Anja Bjansen!"
Anja uttered a Shout, blasting the Falmer from her. The creature went flying through the ceiling, sending rubble raining down.
Vyrthur's smile disappeared.
Serana shrieked with fury and snapped a Chaurus in half over her knee before pointing a finger at the Snow Elf.
"You're going to die!" she spat.
Vyrthur backed away as they advanced slowly toward him. A single Falmer was climbing back to its feet and started to attack, but Anja swung her fist back, smashing the creature in the face.
"No... I won't let you ruin centuries of preparations..." he whispered.
Serana glared up at him. "Enough. Surrender and hand over the bow!"
Vyrthur chuckled and raised his arms. "Death first!"
Behind him, the chapel exploded from the use of his magic. The walls and ceilings began to collapse and Serana quickly rushed to Anja's side, just as the blast had rendered her nearly unconscious.
"Come on," Serana urged. "He's run outside. We can still do this."
Anja shook her head, dazed from the blast. "Right..."
They made their way out into the balcony, where they found Vyrthur crouched, holding his abdomen with one arm. He let out a furious hiss when they approached.
"Enough, Vyrthur. Give us the bow!" Serana ordered.
Vyrthur snarled at her. "How dare you. I was the Arch-Curate of Auri-El, girl. I had the ears of a god!"
Anja pursed her lips furiously and walked over, kicking him in the chest. He grunted sharply in pain and fell backwards, moments before staring up at a blade pointed in his face.
"Enough of this," Anja whispered, venom dripping in her voice. "We've heard the sob story before. The 'Betrayed' corrupted you."
Vyrthur smirked and started to get up, but Anja pressed her sword into his neck, enough to draw a thin trail of blood. "Gelebor and his kind are easily manipulated fools!" he hissed. He looked up at Serana, grinning. "Look into my eyes, Serana. You tell me what I am."
Serana noticed the red of his eyes. The flash of fang...
"You're... you're a vampire?" she gasped. "But Auriel should have protected you..."
Vyrthur snorted coldly, staggering to his feet. Strangely enough, Anja allowed it. "The moment I was infected by one of my own Initiates, Auri-El turned his back on me. I swore I'd have my revenge, no matter what the cost."
Serana frowned. "You want to take revenge... on a god?"
"Auri-El himself may have been beyond my reach, but his influence on our world wasn't. All I needed was the blood of a vampire and his own weapon, Auriel's Bow."
Anja and Serana began to add everything together.
"The blood of a vampire... Auriel's Bow... It... it was you?" Anja said. "You created that prophecy?"
Vyrthur nodded, grinning. "A prophecy that lacked a single, final ingredient... the blood of a pure vampire. The blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour."
Serana let out a feral snarl and grabbed the Elf in two hands. She lifted him off of his feet.
"You were waiting... all this time for someone with my blood to come along." she hissed, showing her fangs. "Well, too bad for you... I intend on keeping it."
Vyrthur pulled himself free from her and raised his hands. But he doubled over in agony, groaning. Blood began to gush from the corner of his mouth. Anja took a menacing step forward, her weapon raised. But Serana held out her arm and gently stopped her.
"No. I'll do it." she said.
Anja frowned at her curiously, just as Vyrthur fell to his knees.
Serana gave no further response and walked up to the Snow Elf. She knelt down on one knee and grabbed his face in two hands. She stared down at the creature with pity. Then, she raised a hand to his eyes and opened her mouth, sinking her fangs into his throat.
Vyrthur let out a sharp cry of agony and tugged at the vampire's shoulders to push her off. But Serana drank his blood without consequence. Anja watched this sight in silence.
The Snow Elf's face seemed to relax of all ill-intent and his gaping mouth closed somewhat. His grip on Serana loosened and his arms fell at his sides. His limp form began to fall backwards, but Serana fell with him, still latched onto his throat as a wayshrine appeared behind them.
Anja looked over as Gelebor appeared.
The Snow Elf met her gaze before he looked toward Serana, who had finished feeding off of Vyrthur. She stood up, her mouth drenched in blood. When she saw Gelebor, she immediately wiped her mouth.
"So, the deed has been done. The restoration of this wayshrine means that Vyrthur must be dead and the Betrayed no longer have control over him." Gelebor said, his voice filled with sadness.
Anja shook her head. "The Betrayed were not to blame for this."
Gelebor looked at her sharply, stunned by this. "What? What are you talking about?"
"He had been a vampire," Anja explained. "Not a very good one, I might add."
Serana smiled a little at that.
Gelebor sighed with relief. "A vampire? I see. That would explain much." he said, turning. "Deep inside, it brings me joy that the Betrayed weren't to blame for what happened here. Because that means there's still hope that they might one day shed their hatred and learn to believe in Auri-El once again."
Anja and Serana were surprised by his joy, but then understood. Vampire was the least worrying thing any creature could be faced with when it came to the extermination of their own race.
"It's been a long time since I felt that way and it's been long overdue. My thanks, to both of you." Gelebor told them, raising his hand to the wayshrine. "You risked everything to get Auri-El's Bow, and in turn, you've restored the Chantry. I can't think of a more deserving champion to carry it than you."
Before their eyes, a glittering, silver bow appeared. Gelebor retrieved it and held it out to Anja. She stared down at the weapon in amazement, unable to fathom that she was about to wield an ancient artifact of the Snow Elf people. She reached out, but pulled back and Gelebor stared at her curiously.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It seems wrong." Anja told him.
"Why?"
"I mean... I'm a Nord." Anja said, staring up at the Elf with mild conflict. "Wielding a weapon of the Snow Elves. It feels...wrong somehow. I don't know how to explain it any other way."
Gelebor seemed to sense this. "I understand. But know that the crimes of the ancestors do not define their children. You alone can atone for their sins."
Anja seemed reluctant, but took the bow.
"If you wish to learn more about the bow, or obtain Sunhallowed Arrows for it, I'd be more than happy to help. You've but to ask." the Elf told her.
Anja looked at Serana. "Ready?"
The vampire groaned somewhat. "Let's get this over with."
Anja looked at Gelebor curiously as Serana prepared her blood.
"So what do you plan to do now?" she asked.
"Even with Vyrthur gone and the Inner Sanctum destroyed, my duty as a Knight-Paladin of Auri-El remains. I've been sworn to protect this vale and everything it represents until I die." Gelebor replied. "For the time being, they will remain open. If remnants of our kind who escaped the betrayal at the hands of the dwarves exist out there, perhaps they will find this place one day."
Anja's features fell. "Then I have merely contributed to the extinction of your kind."
Gelebor smiled, comforting. "There's no need for that kind of talk. It's also quite possible that there are some other isolated conclaves of snow elves nestled elsewhere on Nirn. I'll also assume Vyrthur didn't exactly give you the option to stay your hand."
He crouched down in front of Serana as she dripped her blood into a small wooden bowl.
"For the time being I will remain here, on the overlook and continue trying to keep the Sanctum free of the Betrayed. You're always welcome to return here at any time, of course."
O
As Anja and Serana made their way back to Castle Volkihar, Anja considered Gelebor's words regarding the arrows that they needed.
"The bow was said to be carried by Auri-El himself into battle against the forces of Lorkhan in ancient and mythic times. Its craftsmanship has no equal anywhere within Tamriel and possibly beyond. The bow draws it power from Aetherius itself, channeling it through the sun. Therefore, when an arrow is loosed from the bow, it produces a magical effect very similar to being burned by fire. That's actually only a fraction of its potential. With Sunhallowed Arrows, you would be able to produce a much more spectacular effect... causing bursts of sunlight to envelop your foes. The sunbursts would certainly hurt anything, but is especially devastating to the undead."
"This is it, I guess." Serana mused, aloud.
Anja nodded her head, catching the hesitance in Serana's voice.
They made their way across the waters to the castle, but were shocked to find the Dawnguard members engaging in combat just outside. Stone gargoyles had come to life and were unleashing spells that drained the very life from a few of the soldiers.
"What are those fools doing?!" Anja cried.
She spotted Isran not too far away; he was overseeing the destruction of the gates.
"For too long we've allowed these vampires to poison the night and kill our people! Now we finally have the means to strike back!" he shouted. "The gods themselves have favored us and we must answer with action! The time has come to finally put an end to Harkon and his unholy prophecy! We will march on their lair and destroy those wretched abominations so they can no longer corrupt our world.! This is our fight, and this is our fate. This is the time of the Dawnguard!"
The gates were destroyed by several flaming spells and the Dawnguard charged through with shouts of bloodlust and vengeance.
Serana and Anja made their way into the castle and were immediately welcomed by flames and chaos.
Among the madness, Anja spotted Fura Bloodmouth cornered by a Dawnguard soldier, who wielded a silver sword. She was bleeding and snarling with rage.
"It's over, you monster!" the Dawnguard man spat.
Anja rushed over and drew her sword, stabbing the man through the chest. Fura looked stunned, watching as his corpse fell to the floor.
"Go!" Anja shouted. "Get out of here!"
Fura nodded and rushed to Garan's aid, helping him out of the castle. Several Death Hounds followed them with a few surviving vampires.
"Where's Harkon?" Anja called, looking around the blaze.
Serana gestured for her to follow when they spotted Isran rushing up a flight of stairs. "I have an idea." she said, determination in her voice.
Anja followed her and they heard a fierce cry of pain. Isran was thrown from a set of double doors and hit the wall behind them, hard. He wasn't moving.
Serana and Anja rushed to his side and the vampire felt for a pulse. "He's alive."
"All right. Let's go."
The two women entered the chamber, spotting Harkon standing there in his Vampiric form. His teeth gnashed and those pools of black eyes glittered.
He turned attention to Serana. "So, you've returned. Is your... pet keeping you entertained?"
"You know why we're here." Serana said, quietly.
Anja slowly reached for Auriel's Bow behind her.
Harkon chuckled softly, though it dripped with venom. "Of course I do. You disappoint me, Serana. You've taken everything I provided for you and thrown it all away for this... pathetic being."
Serana's eyes widened in disbelief. "Provided for me? Are you insane? You've destroyed our family. You've killed other vampires. All over some prophecy that we barely understand."
Harkon noticed Anja placing an arrow into the bow.
Serana drew her blade. "No more. I'm done with you. You will not touch her."
Harkon was quite calm for someone facing his death. ""So, I see this dragon has fangs. Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence. How alike you've become."
Anja glanced warily toward Serana. The vampire seemed to hesitate for a moment, but smiled sadly now. "No...Because unlike her, I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore."
"And you..." Harkon turned to Anja now. "It appears I have you to thank for turning my daughter against me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she'd return with hatred in her heart."
"Hatred born of your neglect." Anja said.
"A small price to pay for the betterment of our kind."
Anja snorted. "Your kind is a blight on this world," she whispered, "Not all vampires. Just you. You and those who consider yourselves above us."
Harkon's mouth twisted in a smirk. "I see. Interesting that you can set aside your morals when it suits you."
"Enough!" Anja spat.
"Yes, quite. I'm growing weary of speaking to you and my traitorous daughter." Harkon hissed. "I'll give you a single chance to turn over the bow to me. There will not be a second."
"Never." Anja snarled.
"Very well then, you leave me no choice!"
Harkon let out a screech and opened his hand, unleashing a blast of magic. Anja fired an arrow and it bypassed his magic, slicing him across the shoulder.
Harkon screamed out in pain, recoiling. His magical blast knocked Anja from her feet, sending her tumbling across the stone floor.
Serana moved to assist, but several gargoyle statues in the room suddenly began twitching. She let out a snarl and looked back at her father, who had his left hand raised and it was glowing with gold light.
"I'm fine!" Anja said, giving Serana a push. "Take care of these stone idiots. I'll get Harkon!"
"Yes, human," Harkon whispered, flashing his fangs in a terrible grin. "Come and get me!"
Anja jumped up and charged him, drawing her sword. While she fought the raging beast of a vampire, Serana had the gargoyles to contend with.
"Your rage makes you strong, human..." Harkon sneered, avoiding the swings of Anja's blade. He disappeared into a mist form and moved to a far corner of the balcony. "Yet you fear its potential. What a waste of an existence. HOLD NOTHING BACK!"
Anja's eyes widened with rage.
Harkon roared and dove at her, slamming his weight into the woman. Anja was knocked back and she dropped the bow from the balcony. It fell near Serana, just as she cut down a gargoyle.
Harkon pinned Anja with his weight. He grinned down at her.
"Know this, Anja Bjansen." he whispered, his terrible mouth set in a grin. "I am going to kill you. I'm going to violate you slowly. Intimately. And when you finally live long enough to feel the effects of that, you will plead for death! What do you think of that?"
Anja snarled with effort. "If you're going to kill someone. DO IT! Don't stand there talking about it!"
She uttered FUS directly in his face. Harkon recoiled and raised his claws, but an arrow embedded itself in his chest. Anja blinked in shock and looked down. Serana was holding the bow, her hands smoking from contact.
Harkon stumbled from Anja, screeching in agony. He fell from the balcony and collided with his shrine to Molag Bal. Reverting back to his human form, he struggled to climb to his feet. His chest was smoking from the wound and blood gushed from his mouth.
"Molag...save me..." he moaned.
Anja watched the sight of Serana advancing with anguish and hate in her gaze. Despite the touch of the bow, she did not falter.
"You did not kill her, father, and you will not kill me!" she bellowed. "Now, be gone!"
Harkon turned, snarling defiantly.
An arrow embedded itself into his head. He was frozen there, eyes wide in shock.
"No... Serana... your own father..." he choked.
His entire body erupted in a mass of blood and flesh, sending bits of him scattering. Anja shielded her face and Serana recoiled. All that remained was a bloody stain where Harkon used to be.
"My Gods..."
Serana and Anja turned, just as Isran entered the chamber, stunned by the sight.
"So, the beast is destroyed. Not only that, but Auriel's Bow is in safe hands. The Dawnguard will now be dedicated to safeguarding it, making sure that the prophecy will never come to pass." he told them.
Serana frowned and looked at Anja, just as she stepped down from the balcony. "I think it's already in the safest of hands it can be."
Anja took the bow and they watched Isran's curious gaze.
"Well, you have both served Skyrim and all of humanity." he continued. "Even with these vampires gone, the fight still isn't completely over. Once we're settled in back at the fort, there will be more work to do."
He looked down at the mess.
"He's dead, and the the prophecy dies with him." he said. He looked at Serana. "I...I suppose this is difficult for you."
Serana let out a sigh. "I think my father died a long time ago. This was just...the end of something else. I did what needed to be done. Nothing more."
As Isran departed, Anja looked at Serana gently.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
Serana nodded. "I will be."
Anja put her arm around her shoulder. "Let's go..."