Chapter 33 – This Is My Fight
"Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never have to fear death again"
- Quote, Harkon
"Ah Serana my dear. I see you still favour keeping a pet" Harkon was amused as he turned his attention to Serana.
"Tai is not a pet! You know why we're here"
"You disappoint me Serana. You've taken everything I have provided for you and thrown it away for this… pathetic being" Harkon stated, flicking his leathery wings with a slowly increasing glee. His nails scratched the stone as he walked; the sounds could be heard over Tai's rapid breathing and pounding heart. Suddenly his palms were sweaty; he just wanted this over with.
"Provided for me? Are you insane!" Serana demanded in a calm tone. Somehow her emotions were disconnected, Tai shuddered. This wasn't fully Serana.
"Obviously or we wouldn't be here" Tai mumbled, earning a hiss from Harkon.
"You've destroyed our family. Killed other vampires and countless innocents all over a prophecy we barely understand!" Serana hissed, baring her own fangs. Tai stood, blade raised and hands shaking. He was about to kill Serana's father, or die trying. Somehow it felt wrong.
"I am done with you"
"Because of a mortal?" Harkon snarled, turning his eyes momentarily to Tai.
"You will not touch him!" Serana snarled, drawing her dagger in one fluid movement.
"Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence. How alike you have become" Harkon leered in return. Serana straightened her jaw; her eyes had never blazed brighter. The room seemed to glow as she spoke.
"No…" Serana started, looking to Tai for a moment.
"Because unlike her, I am not afraid of you. Not anymore" Serana stared her father down. Tai swore for a moment he saw a smile on Harkon's face. It faded when they locked eyes.
"And you" Harkon snarled at Tai. He shivered at the tone.
"It seems I have you to thank for turning my daughter against me" he was almost spitting in Tai's face. He simply stood his ground, his neck pulsing as he held his rage back. He would grant Harkon his last words.
"I knew it was a matter of time before Serana returned with hatred in her heart" Harkon finished in a strange purr. Tai's words refused to escape his throat.
"Hatred born from centuries of your neglect!" Tai managed to whisper back.
"A small price to pay for the betterment of our kind" Harkon reasoned. His tone was calm, yet the menace behind it set Tai's teeth on edge.
"I was a vampire once. You are a disgrace to our kind!" Tai insulted. He was shocked to find how much he had related to his vampiric side in such a short time. The wolf had been embraced for acceptance, but he had chosen the vampire for love. He still remembered Serana's embrace, her bite.
"Your kind of vampire is a blight on our world!" Tai finished. He agreed vampires were a blight if left unchecked, but Serana had proven control was possible.
"Yes, yes. Always the noble vampire hunter. And what happens after you've slain me? Is Valerica next?" Harkon paused and smile a purely loathsome smile.
"Is Serana?"
"I would never harm Serana! She is too important to me" Tai snarled right back. He only just realised the strength of his words as Harkon shook his head.
"Then my daughter is truly lost. She died the moment she accepted a mortal into her life"
"I died for a time myself" Tai hissed.
"The vampire is eternal, and with immortality comes the revelation that these bonds never endure… it's fleeting, momentary at best" Harkon teased with a darkness that stilled Tai's tongue again. He knew Harkon had a point; it was Serana who stepped in.
"Then I will stay with Tai until he dies! For someone like us it may be fleeting, but the memories remain"
"I see the dragon has fangs now. Pity it only took you opening your legs"
"Maybe I opened my heart" Serana snapped, her face filled with unease. Harkon had once again affected her. Tai held his tongue, Serana needed to be strong.
"I'm sure he slipped right between your thighs and int…"
"Enough of this!" Tai interrupted, furious at the line of conversation. He pointed his blade at Harkon, eyes flashing as Harkon pondered for a moment.
"Yes quite. I have had enough of speaking with you and my traitorous daughter" Harkon snarled back. Then he struck.
Malketh drove his war axe through another Death Hound, spinning low to the ground as he guarded the fallen Aela. The wolf rose behind him, nodding acceptance. Vale fired. Muiri screamed. A vampire died. Malketh repeated the actions.
"You should learn to be a Bard, you made Z believe your act" Farkas grinned, swinging his huge sword down in one stroke.
"She knew what I was doing"
Tai ducked Harkon's claws, rolling forwards to finish in a kneeling position. His hands closed around his blades hilt, for once he felt at ease. His first blade would be his greatest, or his last. He felt the curved handle and smooth designs as he swung his blade to the left, tip touching the ground. Harkon's claws bounced from the blade with a loud glang.
Harkon looked bemused as Tai returned to his feet, standing in one flowing movement. The blade was extended down his arm before he lifted his hands, blade just below his eyes across his face. Tai was tensed, showing each muscle as his blade's silver details shone with the blue of his eyes.
Harkon snarled, straightening his own body. He held his wings, posed to expand his already large chest. His cloak dangled as he stood, touching the back of his knees. His arms were poised ready for a fight, yet he himself was showing his body. Tai looked unconcerned as Harkon flexed.
"I'm waiting mortal" he hissed.
"You may want to grab a bite to eat" Tai quipped.
Harkon snarled, his shoulders dropping slightly. Tai saw the sign and straightened his wrists, flicking his blade so its sharpness was angled down. The blade caught new light, now reflecting Harkon's eyes.
"I'm done talking myself" Serana hissed from the sidelines. Tai's eyes never left Harkon.
"Serana. This is my fight. It has been since I set you free, your fight is beyond this realm. You fight with will and magic, I fight with muscle. Together, we can defeat anything but unless we remember our own strengths we will fail" Tai spoke calmly, as if his voice was not his own. Somehow Serana understood him and nodded. It was Harkon who laughed loudly, moving from his pose.
"This mortal intends to battle me alone? And not in his strongest form? Is this reality?"
"Find out… Harkoff" Tai's reply earned an enraged snarl from Harkon as he leapt.
Harkon's talons tore at Tai, he spun from his hip to move his blade and deflect Harkon's assult. He dropped to a knee and spun his blade for Harkon's legs. He leapt, flying over Tai and away from the blade. Tai lifted his blade quickly as Harkon went to put his foot through Tai.
He groaned, his muscles standing out as he held Harkon's weight from his body. Tai was slowly pushed down to his back, desperation kicked in as Tai's heart began to pound faster. His heartbeat set the beat of his dance as he threw his legs between Harkon's and around, connecting not only with his groin but his tailbone.
Harkon cursed as he rolled forwards, revealing his behind to Tai as he rose to his feet. Tai covered his eyes as Harkon stumbled, not wishing to view the black sun that was Harkon's royal, wrinkled behind with a pale shining crack. Suddenly bats fluttered around Harkon and in a tussle of red smoke he vanished.
Skeletons rose from the bones, leaping for Tai as he groaned. Serana's hand closed around the skeleton before it connected. She gave Tai a look, a look warning him not to open his mouth. He ignored it.
"Serana…" He started.
"I get it. Now, go kill my father, I'll handle his cheating" she snarled, throwing an ice spike through another skeleton.
Tai nodded. His eyes flashing to the higher level where Harkon had reappeared, throwing a spell at Tai. He thoughtlessly ducked it then began to sprint up the stairs.
One. Two. Three. Harkon threw another spell.
Four. Tai slapped it aside with his blade, projecting it into a Gargoyle approaching Serana.
Five. Six. Seven. Tai started up the second part of the stairs from a small landing. Harkon looked worried.
Eight. Nine.
"To Oblivion with this"
Tai leapt.
He landed before Harkon as he drove his blade down. Harkon leapt sideways, his paws closing on the railing to support himself as Tai's blade came down with a loud ringing sound. Tai turned his head and kicked, Harkon was caught in the gut. He doubled over, only for his face to come into Tai's knee. Tai's leg slid from Harkon's face to his gut again, then his foot slammed over Harkon's. Harkon reacted on instinct as Tai again drove a overhead strike. Harkon pushed with his shoulders and threw Tai over the railing.
Tai winced as his feet slid on the stone, his fingers closed around the rail getting webs under his nails. He still held his blade as he twisted his hip and caught his foot on something solid. He tested it quickly as he threw his right fist into Harkon's face and leapt the railing, blade in his left he spun.
Harkon growled as the blade slashed his stomach. In a cloud of fog and bats he charged at Tai. Tai groaned as he fell down the stairs, holding his body in a ball. He landed with a groan at the foot of the stairs. He was sprawled, his blade knocked from hand. Then Harkon was over him.
"Only human" he snarled. There was a flash as he fell aside. Serana stood over Tai, growling possessively as Tai's hand closed around his blades hilt.
"My human" Serana snarled. Tai smiled as she pulled him to his feet.
"I love you" He chuckled, Serana smiled, blood dripping from a cut across her cheek.
"I know" she pushed Tai away with a playful smack to his rump, Tai yelped and laughed as Harkon faded again. For a vampire lord he preferred fleeing and cheating that fighting. Tai had never felt that, the controlled killer was a controlled chicken.
Harkon reappeared behind Serana, his hand closed around her throat as Tai turned. Tai only just realised he had voiced his thoughts. Serana snarled, yet Harkon's hold prevented her escaping. Tai pulled an arrow free as he lifted Serana's bow, his blade was resting against his knee.
"Shoot him Tai!" Serana hissed, Harkon twisted his hand cutting Serana's voice off in a choke.
"Yes Tai. Shoot me, and kill Serana. Either way, it will all be mine" Harkon's words made Tai freeze.
"So, Bal. Were you worried for your pet?" Tai demanded. Harkon's face twisted into an unimaginably cruel smile.
"Who's controlling you?" he demanded. Tai looked confused. It was a strange Irish voice that inturupted.
"Oh come on Molag, you know the rules. If you break them I tear out your insides and I SKIIIP rope with em. HAHAHAHAHA"
"What the Fus?"
"Should we let him know?" Vale asked softly. The room was dark, the battle won.
"Have you allowed Aela to discover the secret?" Brand demanded. Vale shook her head.
"Isran has become a problem Sadean, he needs to be eliminated" Brand turned his eyes to Sadean who took a sip from his wineskin.
"It is already underway"
"Fine. Sheogorath, your champion stays out of this battle" Harkon demanded with Bal's voice. The strange Irish voice came again.
"Oh hoi! She's not in this battle… Or clothing. She's busy celebrating with Farkas so… Cheese for everyone!"
"How can you share her with Sithis and The Night mother?"
"Because she has a nice figure… Scratch that! No cheese… which is a celebration for anyone who doesn't like cheese"
"And I thought Z was insane" Serana mumbled, Tai nodded in mute agreement.
She stayed low to the mud, Farkas' scent all over her; an immense wave of pleasure had passed through her leaving her whimpering and glowing from the aftermath. Now she was indulging her other pleasures, blade between her teeth she stalked, watching the shadow she was to destroy.
Closer and closer she stalked. The man was so still, so helpless. She felt her mouth-watering as she freed the blade to her hand. She didn't like the idea, but using a shiv was the best advantage she had.
Close enough. She leapt. The man fell silently. Two puncture wounds. Not an assassination, a vampire attack. All is balanced. Her job is complete… for now.
"No! I am no one's vessel" Harkon snarled. Tai grinned.
"Molag Bal disagrees"
"Then, Serana will…" Harkon screamed as the blade pierced his chest. There was another who screamed, Serana.
Her eyes came to Tai's as he struggled to contain his panic. His face was screwed up in a desperate mix of rage, fear and sorrow. Serana looked down, her gut was impaled by the blade, her blood flowing freely as Tai released the blade. Serana quickly grasped the situation and placed her own hands on the hilt. With a deep breath she twisted.
Harkon screamed with her, his arms lashing to the sides. His screams grew louder as Tai shot his wrists, pinning each of them to the giant wooden door. He held the bow with a fury rarely seen, and a calm many wished they never knew existed.
Serana gasped as she tore the blade free, falling to her knees instantly. Tai shot Harkon's shoulders, pinning him tighter into the bondage.
"Before you think of copying Serana. Those are sun blessed arrows; they will explode with the force of Auriel, and likely destroy you. It is over Harkon, accept it and we may be able to help you" Tai spoke as Serana stumbled to him. She fell into his arms with a groan, Tai naturally caught her.
"Serana, are you alright? I'm so sor…" Tai was cut off as Serana placed a quick peck on the cheek.
"It's finally over" Serana sighed, resting her ear to Tai's chest.
"It is" Tai sighed.
"Your heart is pounding" Serana grinned.
"It's fine. I'm not even exited yet" Tai replied, smiling as Serana turned her eyes to his.
"Beat beat beat" She taunted as she leaned up to kiss him. Tai smiled, the moment was playing slowly for him. The sudden explosion of light set Tai's blood pulsing.
"Serana watch out!" He yelled, the black fog falling from him as he pushed Serana across the room. Harkon's tackle landed on Tai, sending both of them stumbling back. Through the shrine to Molag Bal, then through the wall. They both screamed as they began to fall to the rocks and ocean bellow.
"Tai!" Serana yelled, rushing to the edge. She couldn't see either of them.
They were falling, slashing at each other desperately as vampire met wolf in combat. It was the realm of dragons they fought in, plummeting to the realm of men.
The cool air bit through his fur, the wind gushed it aside like it was paper. The air was slicking past his ears as a roar, the waves screaming as they beat the gasping rocks. Harkon and Tai's grunts from their battle was the only thing they heard over the elements.
Harkon's claws raked at Tai's shoulders as he flapped, Tai's jaw had closed around Harkon's wing. He bit down, knowing the landing would hurt. His claws abused the other wing as he held himself pinning them both. With a snarl his paw scratched Harkon across the face, forcing him away. The vampire fell faster. The world faded for a moment in a pulse of red. Then the cool of the fog falling from him once more.
"Oh no. Please. Just a few more moments… Serana"
AN: Ok, I've never done an Author's Note before so bare with me here.
As I doubt anyone knows I work on two sites and am new to Fan Fictions, ergo why I joined. I have a laundry list of people to thank for their support and suggestions on this novel thus far.
On Booksie I need to thank Dovahkiin, for his constant support and writing his own fan fics that have inspired me to think outside the box.
IanDawn, who helped me through out, especially with chapter 7, or 8 on here including preface.
Megstar1563, who's been kicking me in the behind to finish this. Also endured the FB rantings
On Fan Fic, HereLies. Mate your comments have been amasingly motivational, and your help not only with The Skyrim Alliance, but also on another story I may or may not post is invaluable. Thank you so much, I owe you. You're legendary. Anyone who reads this go read HereLies RIGHT NOW!
OK So you are free from the thanks. Only one or two more chapters to go so this isn't the end rant. My final thank you is to everyone who reads, no matter how little or much they choose to and if they comment or not. Thank you. It is for you all I write as much as myself.
I hope I lived up to expectations.