Durnehviir landed on one of the high walls, looking down at them with sickly yellow eyes. Even at a distance, Akiseta could see his body looked withered, and partially decayed. She wondered how he ended up here, and how long he was here to be in such an awful state.

Durnehviir met her eyes. It felt like he was looking into her soul. She felt the same way. There was a sorrowful look in his eyes. His words were soft, but Akiseta heard them clearly, and understood them. "Dii krosis."

With a roar, Durnehviir spoke. He did not breathe fire or frost, but words left his mouth in a Shout. "DIIL QOTH ZAAM!"

An instant later, the bonepiles began to take shape. Several of the skeletal beings that had been seen in the Soul Cairn crawled seamlessly out the ground, bones covered in a faint purple glow.

The three women drew their blades as a larger number of skeletons than Akiseta had ever seen advanced. Durnehviir took to the sky, keeping himself aloft.

"What do we do?" Serana whispered.

Akiseta bit her lip. Her magic still felt weak and distant. Serana was still hurting. Valerica was the only one in any real condition to fight. She glanced at the older vampire. "You good with spells?"

"Of course."

Akiseta glanced a Durnehviir. "Use one."

As she and Serana began hacking at the skeletons, Valerica sent a spike of ice into Durnehviir's side. He snarled, and frost formed in his mouth. The vampire barely managed to move out of the way.

Akiseta sliced her way through a couple more skeletons, and looked back at the airborne dragon. "JOOR ZAH FRUL!"

Durnehviir's wings partailly folded, and he crashed to the ground, shattering skeletons under his weight. Confusion spread across his face, and his body trembled as he treid to stand.

Akieseta raced forward. Durnehviir lunged his head forward, snapping his jaws. Akiseta sidestepped to avoid his fangs, and slashed her sword across his snout. Durnehviir breathed frost in her direction. She rolled under one of his wings, slashing along an oozing hole already there.

Snarling, Durnehviir reached beneath his wing, biting into the boot on Akiseta's leg. She hissed in pain as his teeth broke through the scaled boot, digging into the scales of her own skin.

As Durnehviir pushed himself upright, he dragged Akiseta out from under him, tossing her across the ground. Durnehviir reared his head up, readying to snap her up in his jaws, but a spike of ice pierced his haunch.

Risking a glance, Akiseta saw the spike had come from Serana, who was surrounded by several bones. She gave Akiseta a small nod, before clutching her injured side. Fighting the skeletons had taken a toll on her. Valerica was surrounded by bones as well. The remaining skeletons advanced on the vampires.

Akiseta attempted to rush Durnehviir again, but her leg burned with pain at the effort. Durnehviir headbutted her as she got close, knocking her down.

"GAAN LAH HAAS!" The Thu'um left Durnehviir's mouth, and a strange force struck Akiseta as she tried to stand. She collapsed to the ground, letting out a strangled gasp. It felt like all the energy was leaking out of her body. Even her weak connection to her magic fleeted away. It even felt like her lifeforce was draining away.

"Aki!" Serana cried. She cut down more skeletons, and attempted to go to the Argonian, but fell to her knees, clutching her side again. Valerica rushed to her daughter's side, helping steady her to her feet.

"I.. I'm fine!" Akiseta called back weakly. Driving her sword inot the dirt, Akiseta braced herself against it and stood up.

Durnehviir landed on the wall again. Letting out another roar, the words left his mouth again. "DIIL QOTH ZAAM!"

A large number of the bones that had been dismembered reassembled into mishapen skeletal forms, and more skeletons dragged themselves out of the ground.

'What kind of dragon is this? Where did he learn such powers?' Akiseta wondered, pulling her sword from the ground.

The skeletons focused on the vampires, while Durnehviir turned his focus onto Akiseta.

Lifting off of the wall, he dove at her, outstretching his talons.

"JOOR ZAH FRUL!"

The Shout struck Durnehviir, forcing him to the ground. He landed hard on his side.

Akiseta rushed him again, ignoring the pain in her leg. She drove her sword into his stomach and up to his chest. He snarled, and snapped at her. She barely got out of the way.

Pushing himself up, Durnehviir breathed frost at her. She moved, but some of it struck her side. The cold spread through her armour, and she found it hard to breath.

Durnehviir struck her with his tail, knocking her down. Her sword flew from her grip. He pinned her to the ground with one of his feet, digging his talons into her armour. They didn't puncture it, but his weight pressed down on her, making breathing almost impossible.

Akiseta's lungs screamed for air, and her body ached under the dragon's crushing weight. Durnehviir adjusted his wings to either side of himself, and looked down at her, starting to open his jaws.

A grey streak threw itself into him, latching onto his head. The impact caught him by enough surprise that he stumbled aside. Akiseta rolled away from him, the looked to see what had attacked him.

It looked like the creature Serana had tuned into earlier. But glancing over her shoulder, Akiseta saw Serana fighting the skeletons, a purple glow in her free hand. A few of the skeleton were fighting the other. Serana must have brought them back under her control. And Valerica was the one attacking Durnehviir.

Akiseta painfully tried to stand, watching the struggle in awe. Valerica had situated herself onto his neck, and was slashing it with her claws. Durneviir thrashed about, trying to shake her off. She clawed upward, scratching his face. Letting out a deep growl, Durnehviir threw himself against the wall, smashing Vakerica into it was well.

She let out a viscious hiss, but refused to let go. She slid downward as he tried to slam her into the wall again, dragging her claws down his neck at the same time. Roaring aggressively, he swung his head around, and grabbed one of the wing-limbs on her back, and yanked her in front of him.

Snarling, he grabbed her mid-section in his jaws, biting hard and making her scream. He threw her in Serana's direction, sending her flying through the skeletons.

"Mother!" Serana cried, rushing to her. She tried to help her up, but Valerica slumped to the ground. Blood ran down her stomach.

Durnehviir took to the sky. "DIIL QOTH ZAAM!"

"Xuth..." Akiseta muttered as the skeletons began to reassamble. 'What are we going to do? He keeps bringing them back!'

A small flash of purple lightning caught Akiseta's eye. The odd colored streaks flashed in the sky occasionally. 'Wait... the lightning!' It was risky, but it was the only idea Akiseta had.

Akiseta took a deep breath. "STRUN BAH QO!"

As the words left her mouth, the strange lightning began to strike the ground, breaking apart the skeletons. Shock spread across Valerica's face. Her mouth fell open as she watched the destruction. Serana put her arms around her mother, and pulled out of the way of the lighting strikes.

One of the bolts struck Durnehviir. He hit the ground hard, letting out a shriek of pain. Akiseta gripped her sword tightly, and ran at him. He lifted his head as she approached, and opened his jaws, yellow drool dripping from the sides of his mouth.

Akiseta drove the blade forward, shoving it into his mouth. As his teeth clamped onto her arm, she drove the blade upward. Durnehviir let out a groaning shriek. His body burned away in a bright blaze of purple fire.

Akiseta slumped against the ground, breathing hard. Her whole body trembled. The only time she remember having such a hard fight against a dragon was when she fought Alduin.

The lightning dispersed. Serana came over and helped Akiseta to her feet.

"Aki, that was incredible! I didn't know you were capable of something like that."

"I still have a few surprises for you." Akiseta said, winking playfully. She looked at the scorch mark on the ground. "Although, I wasn't sure that it would work here. I noticed the lighting flash, and I took a chance."

"I'm glad you did. I wasn't sure we were going to get through that fight."

"I wasn't sure, either. I've never seen a dragon that could do anything like this."

"Maybe the Ideal Masters had something to do with it."

"You think so?"

"It would make sense. They were responsible for the Keepers."

Akisets nodded. The idea that the Ideal Masters coul give a dragon such powers was unnerving. Did Durnehviir make some sort of deal with them?

They went back over to Valerica, who had yet to change back into her normal self. She leaned against the wall, a hand pressed over her stomach. She stared at Akiseta in shock. "I've heard of mortals who could Shout. But you..." She gestured to the scorch marks. "And then, you..." She pointed to the area where Durnehviir had burned away. She looked back at Akiseta. "What are you?"

"Dragonborn." Akiseta replied calmly.

"Dragonborn..." Valerica repeated softly. "I've heard the stories of the power a Dragonborn can weild. But this... this was something else."

"I was equally stunned when I first saw it too." Serana said. Seening Akiseta force Durnehviir to land, seeing her command lightning... it had been something else. She wondered what else Akiseta was capable of.

Valerica let out a groan, pressing her hand against her stomach. The teeth marks looked like they went deep.

"Aki, can you help her?"

"There's no need. It'll heal." Valerica insisted.

"That could take a while, Mother. And you can't change back with a wound like that."

"Serana's right, Valerica. I can heal you some. Please, let me help."

"Alright."

Valerica moved her hand, and Akiseta held her hands close to the puntures. Valerica winced slightly as the soft light began to close the wound. After a bit, Akiseta wrapped up what was left of the wound with bandages.

"Thank you." Valerica said, reverting back. Her clothes were ripped in a few places, but the bandages held. "You've... you really astonished me, Akiseta. Especially with killing that dragon. I never thought I'd see the day he'd die."

Akiseta bit her lip. "I'm... I'm not so sure he did."

"What do you mean?" Serana asked. "You stabbed him. We saw him burn away."

"Yeah, but when I kill a dragon, I absorb its soul. That didn't happen this time."

"You're sure?"

"I'm positive. It's been a while, but I remember what it feels like. I didn't absorb his soul."

"I'm afriad Akiseta may be right." Valerica said. "From what little I could learn of Durnehviir, it was apparent he couldn't be slain by any normal means. It would seem that the information was accurate."

"So, if he's not dead, what did I do to him?"

"I think you just misplaced his physical form for a time."

The thought of Durnehviir still being around made Serana uneasy. They barely made it through this fight. Could they survive him a second time around? "How long do you think it'll be until he comes back, Mother?"

Valerica placed a hand on her chin thoughtfully. "It's hard to say. Years? Days? Maybe hours, even. We best get you the scroll, quick."

Valerica led them to a small alcove with a little alchemy set up, some books, and a large case. She opened the case, and pulled out the scroll. "Here." She handed it to Akiseta, who carefully slid it inot her backpack.

"Thank you, Valerica."

"You don't need to thank me. I have faith you two can do this. If there is anything else I can do, please ask me now, before you leave."

"Wait. You're not coming?" Serana asked.

"I'm afriad not, Serana."

"But.. but I finally found you! I'm not going to leave you!" This wasn't fair. She fianlly got her mother back. She didn't want to leave her again.

There was regret in Valerica's eyes. "I don't want to leave you either, Serana. But I'm just as much a Daughter of Coldharbour as you are. Harkon can just as easily use my blood to fulfill the prophecy as he can yours. And you know he won't hesitate to kill me."

Serana looked at the ground. As hard as it was to admit, she knew her mother was right. Her father would make sure her mother was put through a painful death. "I know, Mother. But we are so close. We can make sure you don't get hurt."

"Or you could inadvertantly give your father what he needs."

"But you're stronger than him! You sired him!"

"But I've also been trapped in here all this time, while he's remained out there. My darling, I would love nothing more than to leave this dreadful place with you." Valerica put a hand on Serana's shoulder. "But if I did that, we'd all be in much more danger. You and Akiseta have a better chance of doing this yourselves."

"I suppose you're right." Serana admitted reluctantly.

Valerica hugged her daughter tightly. "It'll be okay. I know you can do this. You're a lot stronger than you realize."

Serana leaned into her mother's embrace. "We'll come back when this is all over. I promise."

Valerica kissed Serana's forehead. "That's sweet of you, dear. But all that matters to me is that you stay safe. I love you."

Serana hadn't heard those words from her mother in a long time. It was strange to hear them again, but it felt so nice. Serana felt tears prick in her eyes. "I love you too, Mother."

Valrica turned to Akiseta. "I'd like a few words with you, alone. If that's alright."

"Uhm.. okay." Akiseta said slowly. "Is that alright, Serana?"

"Yeah, uh, sure. I'll, um.. I'll wait by the doors."

Akiseta watched Serana walk off, then looked at Valerica, raising an eyebrow. "Why did you want to speak to me alone?"

"First off, I was hoping you could explain exactly how you came to be in my daughter's company."

Akiseta explained the attack on Whiterun, and how her search for answers led her to The Dawnguard, Dimhollow, and Serana.

"So, this Dawnguard... they're helping on this matter?" Valerica asked.

"Well, they're fighting vampires, and keeping Dexion safe. But me and Serana came here on our own. Isran wasn't too keen on Serana being around. He thought it was foolish of me to trust her."

Valerica shook her head. "Even when she's trying to help, they still see her as a threat. Mortals never change."

"Well, you can't blame them ofr the way they feel about vampires. Most members of the Dawnguard have faced hardships because of them. I'm hoping that when we return with the scroll, they'll be more accepting."

"I hope you're right."

"I hope I am too. Hey, do you have any idea why vampires would have attacked a city, especially during the day?"

Valerica thought a moment. "You said Isran told you there were some other attacks, and Harkon told you he had people keeping an eye on the Dawnguard and their hideout."

"Yes. And the Hall of Vigilants was destroyed. A good number of Vigilants were killed."

"Harkon was probably testing the mortals in Skyrim, seeing what kind of defense they'd put up. At the least, the return of the Dawnguard caught his interest."

"Why attack the Hall though?"

"You said they serve Stendarr?"

"Yes."

"They hunt things like vampires, werewolves, and other things considered unholy or evil. Harkon wanted to make sure they weren't going to be a threat."

"Why leave the Dawguard alone for the most part?"

"Harkon must not have been aware of their activities until a little before you showed up. By then, his plans were closer to fruition.

Akiseta pondered another question on her mind. "He offered me his blood. Why would he do such a thing?"

"Did he know you were Dragonborn?"

"No. I.. I don't think so."

"Well, I do believe your actions impressed him. But I think his offer was more about controlling you. Or, it would have led to that."

"Controlling me?"

"Yes. How much has Serana explained to you about siring?"

"Well, she did explain to me that turning someone is.. um... intimate."

"It is, for both the vampire and the mortal."

"I really fail to see how being bitten can be intimate."

"Really?" Valerica raised her eyebrows. "What about claiming marks? I thought a werewolf would be familiar with the concept."

Akiseta felt her cheeks burn. "I'm familiar with the concept. I.. I mean, I was told about it. I've never.. you know... experienced the situation."

"Truly? When you mentioned you had a daughter, I thought you might be married."

Akiseta shook her head. "My daughter is adopted."

"I see. I suppose that explains it, then."

Akiseta tilted her head. "Explains what?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Anyway, siring someone builds a sort of connection between the vampire and the mortal. It inspires a certain commitment."

"That didn't seem to work out with Harkon."

"Our vampirism is different, as I'm sure you understand. It's power can be quite intoxicating. You could have been drawn in easily."

"Wasn't he afraid I'd challenge his strength?"

"Probably not. If you had become a concern, he'd have killed you without a second thought."

"Then why offer it to me anyway?"

"To create a powerful vampire to be at his side. You were someone outside of the court, so you weren't connected to the situation like the others. You would have been less likely to turn on him."

Akiseta frowned. "It sounds like he wanted a slave without chains."

"For lack of better terms, yes."

Akiseta let out a faint growl. "He's going to regret everything he's done. I swear it."

"I have faith in you. But I ask that you do what you can to keep Serana safe. She's all I have left in this world."

"I will, Valerica. I promise. I won't let anything happen to her."

Valerica smiled. "Thank you. Shall I show you out?"

"One more question. Can I come back here?"

"Yes, I believe so. Your body has become attuned to the energies of the Soul Cairn. You should be able to return with no trouble."

"Good."

They joined Serana near the doors, and they all went outside.

Durnehviir was resting himself on a piece of broken foundary, watching them calmly.

Dragon Language

Dii: Mine(my)

Krosis: Sorrow, apologies, regret.