DoubleTale belongs to XWolf26

Skyrim and the Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda

Xander had learned all he needed to know. He had visited the local church, devoted to the "Eight Divines", and learned much about Skyrim's… state of turmoil as it were. This would serve nicely if he was to gain power. All he had to do was rise through the Imperial ranks, quell the Stormcloak rebellion, and turn himself into a local hero.

The only problem was the feat of becoming Imperial leader. It seemed the Legion's commanding officer was assigned by the Emperor himself, usually through a letter of recommendation, and if he wasn't quick, the rebellion would end before he could get far enough.

He continued walking when he felt something fall from his back pocket. A letter. He picked it up, and started reading. He could feel the sword almost vibrate on his back as he read Mephala's veil of lies. Yes, this would do nicely. Telling from the sword's reaction, it had probably used much of its power to do this, and he couldn't expect much of this, but for now, this would do.

And so, he walked off, ready to take his new post as Imperial Commanding Officer.

Chapter 2: Before the Storm

I walked down the mountain, entering the outer limits of a small village, which I assumed was Riverwood. As I entered, Ralof was already talking to someone, who I assumed was Gerder, the sister he'd mentioned. I approached and Ralof turned, giving me a smile.

"This is Kelikiin. He was with us when we escaped Helgen. He seemed to be very good at keeping his cool, too, despite the dragon roaring over our heads." He laughed at this.

Gerder turned to me, looking me up and down. "Well, for helping out Ralof, please, take this." She held out a sack, and when I looked in, I saw three red bottled drinks. "Potions of Minor Healing, to help you on your travels."

I looked up. "Thanks. What should I do next? I'm assuming people will need to know about the dragon."

She smiled. "Yeah, you should head to Whiterun. Jarl Balgruuf should be warned if there's a dragon in the area."

I nodded, ready to start towards Whiterun. I turned around looking towards the large medieval metropolis in the distance. I had some ground to cover.

I started walking, passing through the gates, and getting on the road. This was interesting. Let's see here, in the last 24 hours, I'd avenged Granny, been popped out of a weird bronze/gold orb, went through the biggest meme of 2014, nearly been decapitated, and escaped a dragon. What a day. I walked further down the road, seeing the gates of the city, when I heard something to my left. Turning, I saw a large humanoid figure fighting 3 humans. A giant.

I was not ready for today.

I noted the giant seemed really damaged, and decided that the 3 humans probably had it covered, rushing into the city. As I reached the main gate, a guard walked up.

"Halt! City's closed with dragons about. Official business only."

I looked at him, and turned towards where Helgen was. "I have news about the Helgen dragon attack. It left this way." I pointed towards Helgen, almost to support my point.

He stared me down for a moment. "Fine, but we'll be keeping an eye on you." The guard then unlocked the door, letting me pass through, into the large city. I walked through the city, eventually reaching a large staircase going up to what had to be the Jarl's keep. Next to the stairs was a guy preaching about Talos, and generally being that guy with the sign reading "Repent Sinners", or "The End is Nigh".

As I climbed up to the keep, I saw a large balcony, big enough to fit a small army from this angle. I pushed open the front door, entering a large banquet hall, complete with open fire. Making my way past, a Dark Elf approached, and I could see past her the Jarl sitting on his throne.

"What is the meaning of this disturbance? Jarl Balgruuf is not seeing visitors."

I looked at her, and smiled as I replied. "Well, I think a dragon is important enough news to warrant a meeting."

I walked down from Dragonsreach, noting the later hour, and turned towards the inn, ready to get some rest. I checked my gold count. Over my adventure I had gotten a total of 56 gold. That wasn't gonna last long. I walked in, and after asking for a room and paying the 10-gold price, went upstairs and promptly passed out on the bed.

I woke up in darkness. Looking around, I tried to move, but found my body unresponsive. A light started filtering in, like the sun was coming over the horizon, and I saw I was on top of a mountain, watching the light filter across the grassland below. But then the light didn't stop. And I realized it wasn't the sun. It was a wave of fire, consuming everything in its path. And there, letting loose the inferno from its mouth.

Alduin. The World Eater.

I shot up, looking around. No fire. No mountain. Still in Whiterun.

I got up, collecting the few belongings I had, and left, finding that it was a bit past dawn. As I walked on, I passed through the large doors into Whiterun. Towards the next mission. After warning Balgruuf, he had tasked me with finding the "Dragonstone" of Bleak Falls Barrow for his court wizard, Farengar.

As I reached the edge of the mountain, I looked up at the rather impressive ruins ahead. Crouching down to avoid detection, I pulled out my bow, ready for a fight. As I reached the top, I found three bandits sitting there, waiting for something.

I pulled out an arrow, and pulled it back on the string.

SNAP

The string snapped. The bandits all turned.

Shit…

"Bad time to get lost friend!" shouted one, before pulling out their sword. The others pulled out their weapons, as I took the arrow and ran up, running it through a guy's eye before taking my axe out of my belt and slashing at another's head, embedding it in their skull as they crumpled. As I reached back, I pulled out another arrow, and as an archer fired an arrow, I deflected it with the one in my hand, looked in surprise at my hand, and started running at the guy, dodging more arrows before stabbing the guy in the neck with the arrow. As I sat, panting there, I pulled out the arrow and looked around. All dead.

I pulled out the axe, before continuing into the ruins, ready to take down more bandits, and if memory served some undead.

Some bats fluttered down as I entered the final room, a large spacious area with a large sarcophagus and a curved wall, on which were inscribed draconic runes. I approached the wall, and I could feel the energy of a certain phrase call to me.

Fus

As the word echoed in my head, I heard a crack.

The sarcophagus. I pulled out my new Ancient Nordic Sword, and slashed at the Draugr that climbed out, making a dent in the undead's armor. As I smiled as this small victory, I suddenly froze, as the Draugr breathed in.

"Fus-"

Ah, shit.

"RO DAH!"

I flew into the wall, quickly picking myself back up and grabbing my weapon from the ground, rushing the ghoul. I swung as I reached him, hearing more damage to his skeletal form, before dodging his attack and taking an arrow, spearing his face. He reached up, snapping the arrow.

I can't win today.

He winced as his wounds stung. The interrogations were long and in quick succession. Why they wanted to know so much about Kelikiin, who could say?

But they really wanted to know.

After splitting up with him, he hadn't seen his savior in at least a day or two. The Thalmor had picked him up almost immediately out of Helgen. As he pondered this, he heard the door to the stairs open. In a desperate attempt to escape the pain, he played dead, going limp, which was admittedly very easy as he essentially already was. As they reached his cell, and opened the door, they remarked in disgust.

"You never gave us any information. And command had just determined you expendable anyway, so this just makes my job easier. Guards!"

He felt the armored hands grab his arms, and drag him to the trapdoor they disposed of bodies in. He felt the sensation of falling, before hitting the ground with a thud. As soon as he felt it was safe to move, he got up, weakly. Looking up, his vision blurred. He got up, feeling a second wind with escape so close. He limped his way towards the cool air, he could feel the outside air brush past his body, beckoning him to freedom. As he got out of the cave, he collapsed, vision fading to black.

He just caught a glimpse of a strange man, in some kind of Jester outfit, pass by, stooping down to investigate the near-dead, with a large cart with a box behind him.

Sithis decrees – This is not your day to die… When you come too, be sure to tell your savior…

…Darkness rises when silence dies…

A/N

Shorter chapter, and more of an exposition fest than the last one I feel, but this sets up some important stuff. Also, I feel like you guys 100% know who was in the last part. Next time we won't have a cameo of Xander, but he's gonna be pretty important.