Now it's time for Blackheart and Serana to enter the Soul Cairn to find Serana's mother! I know that there are additional quests in the Soul Cairn, but I am not going to do those and just focus on the main one. And sorry for making this chapter of the Soul Cairn short, I just want to get to the main questline. Anyways, enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 37

The moment Serana and Blackheart stepped into the Soul Cairn, they were both shocked. The place was full of darkness. The sky was almost a dark as the sea, the clouds were almost grey and the ground was filled with darkness.

Serana said "What is wrong with this place? The clouds, the sky…everything's wrong."

When they touched the ground, Blackheart immediately fell to the ground. He was starting to breathe heavily and he was starting to sweat inside his armor. It must be the effects from being partly Soul Trapped. As Serana helped him up, she said "It was a mistake soul trapping you. We should go back and…"

Blackheart shook his head and said "No, we have to keep going."

As he raised his Dragon Gauntlet, he was trying to find where Serana's mother is. When the map popped up, it showed him where to go.

He then said "We should go straight. With any luck, you mother will be there."

Serana nodded as they walked down the path. As they look around, the encounter souls that were trapped into this plane of Oblivion. When they approached the Black Church, the ground started to crack and beings known as Bonemen appeared with weapons at hand. As Serana rushed towards them with her Ebony Dagger at hand, Blackheart past her with Volendrung at hand and destroyed the Bonemen.

As he took a deep breath, Serana rushed up to him and said "What the—How did you do that?"

Blackheart then said "I just needed time to adjust myself."

As Serana shook her head, they saw what looks like a portal inside the church. When they approached it and activated it, nothing happen. As they resume their path, they encountered more souls and more Bonemen. After a few minutes of walking, they approached the Boneyard.

"Well," Blackheart said, "Here we are. You think your mother is in there?"

Serana replied "If she isn't in there, then I believe it's going to be difficult finding her or the Scroll in this place."

Blackheart could tell by Serana's voice that she is nervous. After spending almost spending a thousand years sealed away by one's mother and later reuniting them, it can be difficult.

Blackheart then said "How do you think she'll react to us?"

Serana thought for a moment before saying "I'd like to think she'll be happy to see me. I can't be sure. You, on the other hand…"

She looks at him and said "Mother told me if I brought a man home, and he wasn't a looker, she would throttle me. I believe my windpipe is in no danger."

"Whoa!" Blackheart said, "You think I am that good-looking! Dang, thank god Mephala isn't here."

Serana smiled and laughed at Blackheart's comment. But that quickly faded when she said in a worried way "But she may not take too kindly to you. She isn't the most trusting type."

Serana sighed, gazed towards the stairs and said "Let's go."

As they walked up the stairs, they reached the top. Surrounding the Boneyard is a magical barrier preventing them from entering. Suddenly, they see a figure with their backs turned on them. From their angle, they share the same clothing as Serana is. Serana knew who this person was. This was Serana's mother, Valerica.

Serana broke the silence and cried "Mother!"

Valerica turned and saw Serana and Blackheart. Her eyes widen and said "Maker…it can't be. Serana?"

As Serana and Blackheart approached the barrier, she said in an excited way "Mother, how do we get inside? We have to talk."

Valerica had her eyes on Blackheart the whole time. She rested her hand on her Ebony Blade and said "What are you doing here? Where's your father?"

Serana said "He doesn't know we're here. I don't have time to explain."

"I must have failed," Valerica said darkly as she grips her dagger tightly, "Harkon's found a way to decipher the prophecy, hasn't he?"

Serana shook her head and said in a serious way "No, you've it got it all wrong. We're here to stop him, to make everything right!"

When Valerica heard the word 'we', she looks over at Blackheart and said in a provoked tone "You…You've brought a stranger here? Have you lost your mind?"

"What?" Serana said "No, you don't under-"

"You," Valerica said as she points at Blackheart, "Come forward. I would speak to you."

As Blackheart steps forward, Valerica said "So how is it come to pass that a vampire hunter is in the company of my daughter?"

Blackheart's eyes widen and thought "How in the hell did she know that?!"

"Oh, what are you so surprised about?" Valerica said in a disgusted way, "I can smell the blood of dozens of vampires on your hands."

She then said "It pains me to think you'd travel with Serana under the guise of her protector in an effort to hunt me down."

Blackheart couldn't believe it, Valerica thought that he was going to hunt her down like any other vampire."

He then said "With all due respect lady, I am here to protect your daughter."

Valerica laughed at that and said "Coming from one who murders vampires as a trade, I find it hard to believe your intentions are noble."

She then said "Serana has sacrificed everything to prevent Harkon from completing the prophecy. I would have expected her to explain that to you."

Blackheart took a deep breath and said "That's why I am here for the Elder Scroll."

Valerica gave him a stern look and said "You think I'd have the audacity to place my own daughter in that tomb for the protection of her Elder Scroll alone? The Scrolls are merely a means to an end. The key to the Tyranny of the Sun is Serana herself."

Blackheart's eyes widen when he heard that. How could Serana be the key to the prophecy? Blackheart then said "What do you mean?"

Valerica replied "When I fled Castle Volkihar, I fled with two Elder Scrolls. The Scroll I presume you found with Serana speaks of Auriel and his arcane weapon, Auriel's Bow. The second Scroll declares that 'The blood of Coldharbour's Daughter will blind the eye of the dragon'."

"The Coldharbour's Daughter?" Blackheart asked, "What do you mean by that?"

In rage, Valerica replied "Being the daughter of the Coldharbour means that Serana is the Pure Blood Vampire that Molag Bal created!"

Now it all made sense to Blackheart.

He then said "So you are telling me that Serana's blood is the key?!"

Valerica replied "Now you see why I wanted to protect Serana and why I've kept the other Elder Scroll as far from her as possible."

Blackheart then said "So what is Harkon going to do to her?"

"If Harkon obtained the Bow, and Serana's blood was used to taint the weapon, the Tyranny of the Sun would be complete," Valerica said as she turns to Serana, "In his eyes, she'd be dying for the good of all vampires."

At that moment, Blackheart yelled "I will never let him do that!"

Valerica looks at him and said "And how do you plan on doing that?"

"Simple," Blackheart said, "I'll kill him."

Valerica shook her head and said "If you believe that, then you're a bigger fool than I originally suspected. Don't you think I weighed that option before I enacted my plans?"

Blackheart then said "And what did Serana think about all of this?"

Valerica said "You care nothing for Serana or our plight."

At that moment, Serana's hands began to grip as her mother said "You're here because we're abominations in your mind. Evil creatures that need to be destroyed."

It was true. When he first encountered vampires, they almost tried to kill Lydia and tried to turn Mortal into their feeding grounds. From that point on, he believed that every vampire was evil. But that all changed when he meet Serana. She wasn't like the other vampires. She proved that vampires can be more human if they are given the chance. Serana was kind, caring and she had a warm heart that no one else possessed.

"That may be true," Blackheart said, "But even I know the difference between monsters."

Before Valerica was about to say something, Blackheart said "And what is Serana's opinion about all of this?"

Valerica looks at Serana and said in a suspicious way "Serana, this stranger aligns himself with those that would hunt you down and slay you like an animal, yet I should entrust you to him?"

Serana then walks up to Blackheart, grips her left hand to his right hand and said "This 'stranger' has done more for me in the brief time I've known him than you've done in centuries."

Shocked by her daughter's words, Valerica said "How dare you! I gave up everything I cared about to protect you from that fanatic you call a father!"

"Yes, he's a fanatic," Serana said in a depressed way, "He's changed. But he's still my father. Why can't you understand how that makes me feel?"

Valerica shook her head and said "The moment your father discovers your role in the prophecy, that he needs your blood, you'd be in terrible danger!"

In rage, Serana said "So to protect me, you decided to shut me away from everything I cared about?! Both of you were obsessed with your own paths. Your motivations might have been different, but in the end, I'm still just a pawn to you too!"

She took a deep breath and said "I just want us to be a family again. But I don't know if we can ever have that. Maybe we don't deserve that kind of happiness. Maybe it isn't for us."

At that moment, tears were starting to come down her face. Valerica saw this and her heart started to feel heavy at the fact that her daughter felt this way. As Serana whipped her tears away, she said "But we have to stop him before he goes too far. We need the Elder Scroll."

There was a moment of silence when Valerica said "I'm sorry, Serana. I didn't know…I didn't see. I've allowed my hatred of your father to estrange us for too long. Forgive me. The Scroll is yours."

She then looks at Blackheart and said "Your intentions are still somewhat unclear to me. But for Serana's sake, I'll assist you in any way that I can."

Blackheart nodded and said "So can you let us in so that we can talk about getting the scroll?"

Valerica replied "I have the scroll with me. I've kept it safely secured here ever since I was imprisoned. But as you can see, you cannot enter."

As Blackheart lets go of Serana's hand, he takes out his Gauss Rifle, points it at the barrier and said "We'll see about that."

Frightened, Valerica cried "No wait! Don't…"

Too late, Blackheart already fired his Gauss Rifle. Once the blast made contact with the barrier, it bounced off and made its way back to Blackheart. With no time to react, the blast made a clean hit to Blackheart's chest, and with that force of power, Blackheart started to fall down the stairs. With every step he lands on, he cried in pain.

As Serana and Valerica observed Blackheart's actions, Valerica said "He doesn't know about magic that much, does he?"

Serana replied "Sadly no."

She then said "Is there a way to enter?"

Valerica replied "Fortunately, you can breach this magical barrier. You need to locate the tallest of the rocky spires that surround these ruins. At their bases, the barrier's energy is drawn from the souls here. Destroy the Keepers tending them, and it should bring the barrier down."

"Thank you," Serana said, "We shall return."

Right before she was going to leave, Valerica said "One more word of warning. There's a dragon that calls itself Durnehviir roaming the Cairn. Be wary of him. The Ideal Masters have him overseeing the Keepers, and it will undoubtedly intervene if you're perceived as a threat."

"A dragon?" Serana asked, "Well that shouldn't be a problem for us."

Shocked, Valerica said "Why would you say that? Serana, there were no dragons during the time we were living in and these are powerful creatures. How can you be sure that you can defeat Durnehviir?"

Serana smiled and replied "Not me, just him."

As she pointed down the stairs, Blackheart cried from the ground floor "I can't feel my legs!"

Worried about her daughter's safety from this person, Valerica said "And what makes you sure that he can perform this task?"

Serana replied "Because mother, he's the Dragonborn."

And with that, Serana walked down the stairs to check on Blackheart's condition, leaving her mother with a surprised expression on her face.

"The Dragonborn?" she thought, "That thing is the Dragonborn?"

As soon as Serana was near Blackheart, she helped him up and said "Are you alright?"

Blackheart replied "Fuck that hurts! How the hell do we go in?"

Serana replied "We need to locate the tallest of the rocky spires that surround the ruins. After we deal with the Keepers, then the barrier will go down."

"Perfect," Blackheart said, "Let's go."

Right before he was going to move, Serana said "And one more thing, my mother said that there is a dragon name Durnehviir in the Soul Cairn."

Blackheart stops, looks at her and said "You're kidding me?"

There was a moment of silence when Blackheart said "You're not. Great."

Serana then said "Come on, it's not like you never killed a dragon before."

Blackheart let out a sign and said "I guess you're right. Come on, let's go and kill these Keepers. The longer we stay, the weaker I get."

"You're right," Serana said, "Come on, let's get the scroll and leave as soon as possible."

Blackheart and Serana approached the first site of the Keeper. As they readied themselves, they approached what looked like a throne room. Once they were within the Keeper's view, it stood up with its Dragonscale Shield and Dragonbone Sword at hand. The Keeper charged towards them and swung its sword at them. Once Serana evaded its attack, Blackheart took it head on. Even though the attack wasn't enough to hurt him, the force from the attack knocked him on his back. When he was knocked to the floor, he groaned in pain. In the condition he is in, Blackheart can barely hold on. As the Keeper raised its sword and was about to bring it down, Blackheart took out his Gauss Rifle and blasts the Keeper away from him. At that moment, Serana used her Thunderbolt Spell on the Keeper to reduce some damage. As Blackheart got up, he took out Vengeance and kills the Keeper.

After he killed the Keeper, Serana walks up to him and said in a worried way "Blackheart, are you alright?"

Blackheart coughed and said "I'm fine. I'm just…"

All of a sudden, he gripped his chest and fell to his knees. He was suffering intense chest pains. Serana quickly wrapped her arms around him and said "Oh god, you're getting worse! The longer you are staying here, the weaker you get!"

Blackheart then got up and said "Then let's hurry up. The sooner we kill the other Keepers, the better."

After battling the remaining two Keepers, the magical barrier that was surrounding the barrier disappeared. During that time, Blackheart was starting to suffer more pain when he was going up against the Keepers.

When the two of them returned to the entrance of the Boneyard, Valerica looks at them and said "Looks like you two did it. Come before Durnehviir notices you were here."

When they both agreed, they both followed Valerica into the arena. Once they were in the center, Serana stopped and said "Wait, do you see that?"

As she points up in the building, Valerica said in a worried way "Oh no, it's Durnehviir."

All of a sudden, there was a loud roar that shook the ground. Just then, a dragon flew from the building and started to soar over them. And if things couldn't get any worse, a couple of Bonemen started to appear from the ground.

As Blackheart observed the situation, he said "Serana, you and your mother deal with the skeletons. I'll deal with the dragon."

"What?!" Serana said, "But, you can't just…"

Just then, the dragon landed in front of Blackheart. The dragon was the first to attack them, but they all manage to evade its attack. As Blackheart took out his Tesla Cannon and charged towards the dragon, Serana and Valerica were stuck with the Bonemen. Serana was worried about Blackheart's condition, especially when he is up against a dragon. But her thoughts were interrupted when a Bonemen swung its sword at her. As she dodged it, she grabs her Ebony Dagger and stabs the Bonemen in the head. Blackheart on the other hand was having a tough time trying to attack the dragon. He had his Tesla Cannon and was firing repeatedly at the dragon. But every time he fires it, the dragon keeps on dodging his attacks. When the dragon landed in front of him, the dragon unleashed a blast of purple flames towards Blackheart. As he took it head on, he was starting to become weaker! Blackheart felt like his whole energy, his strength and some how his magic energy, were depleting. As he fell to the ground once more, the dragon quickly turned around, swung its tail and sends Blackheart flying through the air.

Serana saw this and yelled "Blackheart!"

She then rushed towards the dragon and tried to stab it. But the dragon saw her and quickly swung its tail at her. When she took it head on, she collapsed to the floor. As the dragon faced her and opened its mouth ready to attack her, a blast knocks the dragon away from her. When she looks over, she sees Blackheart with his Gauss Rifle at hand. When the dragon looks at him, it started to make its way towards him.

"That's right," Blackheart said, "This way."

When the dragon was in range and opened its mouth ready to attack him, Blackheart yelled "FUS RO DAH!"

As the force of blast was enough to make the dragon to lose balance, Blackheart quickly took out a Plasma Grenade and threw it into the dragon's mouth. After swallowing it, the grenade went off and the dragon's head blew off. As headless dragon fell to the ground, purple fire started to cover its body. In a matter of seconds, the flames burst and the dragon disappeared.

In pain, Blackheart fell to his knees as Serana rushed up to him.

"Blackheart!" Serana cried, "Are you alright?"

Blackheart got up and said "I am fine."

Out of nowhere, Valerica said "Follow me, I'll brew a potion to help him get over his pain."

The two of them followed to Valerica's Alcove, they saw the place filled with ingredients and there was an alchemy set in the far end of the room. Valerica then said "Sit him over there while I brew up a potion."

Serana nodded as she placed Blackheart on the chair. Deciding to get some air, Blackheart took off his helmet and placed it near a table. Once Valerica finished the potion and turns towards them, she was surprised by Blackheart's appearance. She would have figured that he was some sort of creature. But instead, he was a young man. When Valerica handed him the potion, he immediately took the potion and chugged it down. He felt part of his strength returning, but it wasn't enough to get rid of the pain he is suffering through.

"I can't believe you took down Durnehviir by yourself," Valerica said, "And the way you shouted, you really are the Dragonborn."

Blackheart said "I am. But I wonder why I didn't absorb that dragon's soul? Oh well."

As Valerica stares at him, she said "What are you?"

Blackheart replied "I am just a normal human who got partly soul trapped to enter this place."

Valerica's eyes widen and said "You mean to tell me that part of your soul is in the Soul Cairn?"

As Blackheart nodded, Valerica was surprised.

"I can't believe it," Valerica thought, "This man barely had enough strength, but he manages to defeat Durnehviir in combat!"

Her thoughts were interrupted when Serana said "Mother, do you know where the scroll is? Because the longer Blackheart here stays in the Soul Cairn, the weaker he is becoming."

Confused, Valerica said "That's impossible. If he is truly partly soul trapped, then the Ideal Masters would have been pleased with that."

Blackheart then said "Do you know where my other soul is?"

Valerica nodded and said "Yes, I'll make it down for you. As for the scroll…"

She then reaches over the display cases and opens it up. When she picks up the object and shows it to them. Both Serana's and Blackheart's eyes widen. It was the last Elder Scroll!

As Valerica hands the scroll to Blackheart, she said "Make sure to use its information to find a way to defeat Harkon."

Blackheart nodded as he puts the Elder Scroll away in his Dragon Gauntlet. Serana then said "So where do we find Blackheart's soul?"

Valerica replied "It is located somewhere around the Boneyard. Find it quickly and leave before you suffer more damage."

When Blackheart agreed, he took his helmet and puts it on. Right before he and Serana were about to leave, Valerica said "And one more thing. If you defeat Harkon, return back here and tell me. After a century of being exiled, I want to return."

Serana looks back at her and said "Will do. Until then, be safe mother."

Valerica replied "I am so sorry about all this. All I ever want was for you to be safe."

Serana nodded and said "I understand. Farewell mother."

And with that, Blackheart and Serana left the room to find Blackheart's soul. But after they left the Alcove and left the Boneyard, they encountered Durnehviir standing in front of him.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Blackheart yelled, "I just killed you!"

Durnehviir laughed and said "You have quite a temper for a young dovah, Qahnaarin."

"A what now?" Blackheart asked.

Durnehviir replied "Qahnaarin, it means Vanquisher in our tongue. It has been a long time since I had a fight like that. But now I must ask of something from you."

Curious, Blackheart said "What do you want?"

Durnehviir replied "As you can see, I am not part of the laas, the living, nor I am part of the dinok, the dead. You see, I gave myself to the Soul Cairn to gain more power. But in return, I am to protect a woman name Valerica until she is deceased."

There was a moment of silence when Serana said "You are aware that she is a vampire, right?"

Durnehviir said "Unfortunately, I did at the last second. But since you are the Dovahkiin, your shout is strong enough to release me from the place for a temporary time. In exchange for freeing me from this place and allow me to roam Tamriel, I will teach you a shout."

Thinking over it, Blackheart said "Alright, but how do I release you?"

Durnehviir replied "Every dovah's name consist of three Words of Power. When you shout my name, I shall appear in Tamriel."

Blackheart nodded and said "I will, and thanks for not attacking me."

As Durnehviir bowed his head in respect, Blackheart and Serana started to look around for Blackheart's soul. After spending over minutes of looking, they eventually found a Black Soul Gem that contained Blackheart's soul. After Blackheart grabbed it, he and Serana made their way to the exit to leave the Soul Cairn for good.

After they left the Soul Cairn, Blackheart took a breath and said "I feel so much better."

When he looks at the Black Soul Gem, it started to crack and before he knew it, purple energy burst out of the gem and into Blackheart's body. In a matter of seconds, Blackheart's soul was now whole again.

"It feels good to have my soul back," Blackheart said.

Suddenly, Mephala's voice said "I see that you have returned. I take is that you have the scroll?"

Blackheart nodded and said "And the best part, we now know that your mother is safe."

Serana let out a small smile and said "Yes, I guess she is. And now we have all three scrolls."

Blackheart smiles and said "I guess it's time to head back to Fort Dawnguard."

Serana nodded and said "I hope the others are okay."

Mephala replied "Knowing M'aiq, who knows what happen."

Now with the Soul Cairn quest done, it is almost time to find Auriel's Bow! And on the next chapter, it is time to reunite to the rest of Blackheart's companions. Until then, please review!