A/N

Hello again! Here's the new update! Anyway, I'm sorry if I'm not writing it as good as I did before since I'm also playing other games while writing (Should be playing Skyrim : Dawnguard to get more motivation to write but nah). I'll be trying to finish this arc before our quarantine ends (April 14th), so maybe you can expect frequent updates. :D Please leave a comment as much as you can regarding your thoughts!

Stay safe and I hope you enjoy this one!


[Serana's POV]

With my eyes closed, Remus and I passed through the portal inside the wayshrine.

That… wasn't as unpleasant as I thought it would be. Kind of soothing actually… I feel… a little warmer.

This new cave section was dark but glowing mushrooms lit up a path.

I looked at Remus. I'm not sure if he's wearing a stern face because I talked a bit too much earlier or he's just squinting because he couldn't see.

I wanted to ask him if he needed help in carrying the ewer, but I decided against it. Somehow, his remark from earlier still ticked me off.

I trust his judgment more than anyone else… and it was sound and logical, but his actions is just giving me an impression that… he wants to get rid of me.

What irritates me is the fact that I'm sure it wasn't his purpose at all.

I'm the problem.

I'm just too scared.

Too scared to be cast aside once all of this is over.

I shook my head. It's too painful thinking about what the future may hold… I'd better focus at the present.

"Are you okay?" I heard Remus' voice resound over my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine what's it to you?" I replied sharply.

Damn it, I let my mouth run again! I didn't mean to say that!

I briefly glanced at Remus. He still had that serious look on his face as we walked on. I felt my blood pumping nervously.

What if he hates me if I keep this up?

"Wait, there's something ahead. Can you take a look for me?" Remus requested. "Still, do it silently. I'm not sure what it is… I can't see clearly."

Nevermind, he's still oblivious.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

Alright Serana. Just focus on the task at hand for now.

I slowly paced ahead of Remus to see what he's talking about. Once in position, I looked on ahead.

Just… what is that thing? I snuck back to Remus before reporting, "It looks like a sac… of some sort."

Remus clicked his tongue. "Looks like you'd be seeing the twisted Falmer sooner than expected."

"What do you mean?"

"That sac you're talking about… It's an insect pod of a chaurus." Remus explained.

"C-Chaurus?" I stuttered. I read about them from a book about huge insects once as a kid. There were also depictions of what the Chaurus looked like.

And they were nowhere near pretty. I felt the hairs stand at the back of my neck just thinking about them.

"Yeah. They're usually domesticated by the Falmer. If the Chaurus are here, then we're probably on Falmer territory."

"W-Wait." I held my hand up. "If they're Falmer, they're close to what Gelebor looks like… right?"

For a second, I saw a cheeky grin across Remus' face before he replied, "Yeah… I guess they're pretty close…"

"I-I see…"

Still, why am I getting a bad feeling about this?

"Although," Remus placed down the ewer before equipping his bow, "The Falmer are blind, but to make up with that disadvantage, they have a stronger sense of hearing and smell than many other creatures." He passed the ewer to me.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm handling this." he replied. "No use in trying to hide, they'd sense us after all."

I didn't want to fight the Chaurus but still, I protested. "But, surely I can handle them especially in tunnels as narrow as these right? Besides I don't want to be the one lugging this thing around."

"I'm more than sure you can. But I'm handling this. I'm used to dealing with them." Then he gave me a reassuring smile. "Besides, you need to conserve your magicka. If what Gelebor says is true, then these caves aren't the only ones encompassing the Chantry. Once we're more familiar with this place or it's a little bit safer, I'll be taking that ewer back. I'll need your strength later on. So, trust me on this one."

I felt a little bit relieved and happy because he's relying on me more compared from before. Guess he wasn't lying back at Lakeview Manor.

Still, there's no way I'm showing him how much I appreciate that.

I sighed. "Fine." I took the ewer from his hands.

Remus only responded with a nod before he started running and casting Magelight ahead of us to reveal the insect pod. I immediately kept up behind him.

He unleashed three arrows at the insect pod, which suddenly exploded with impact. Crawling out of the pod was a dying mantis-like insect covered in the disgusting substance it was held with.

He continued to cast Magelight ahead of us to reveal the surroundings. He pointed upwards as we ran, "You see those holes? They're pods where Falmers occasionally come out to ambush intruders. Be wary of them."

Suddenly three figures jumped out of the tunnels ahead of us. They lacked hair, and their skins were all wrinkly. But, their pale white skin and long ears remained prominent.

"W-What are those?" I huffed at Remus.

"Those are the Betrayed, as Gelebor calls them."

"You said they looked exactly like he did!"

"I was obviously joking! And it really doesn't matter, right?" Remus laughed before pausing to draw arrows. Three arrows almost simultaneously struck the Falmers right between where their eyes are supposed to be.

As we ran past their dead bodies, I quickly reanimated two of them.

"What was that for?" Remus asked.

"I'm leaving them as guard, just in case we get ambushed from the back."

"Good thinking." Remus chuckled before slowing down after a brief moment. "There's a huge chamber up ahead. You stay here for a bit, I'll be scouting ahead. I'll tell you when we're clear."

I nodded in response, my eyes darting across the perimeter for potential traps or ambush.

Once Remus reached the chamber ahead, I heard the clashing of swords together and spells being casted. After a few seconds, he came out of the chamber, sheathing back his sword.

"All clear." he nonchalantly announced.

"That's nowhere near scouting." I darkly replied with a raised brow.

He snickered. "It's been dealt with. Come on."

I entered the chamber just to see three Falmer dead along with two chaurus. One of the chaurus looked similar to the one from the insect pod before, just… bigger in size.

Remus seemed to notice that I was carefully eyeing the specific corpse. "That's a Chaurus Hunter."

"Chaurus Hunter?"

"The Chaurus have different life stages, of course they'll start with an egg. Then a Chaurus would hatch. After a while, it would either start dying then enclose itself in a cocoon then hatch into a Hunter, or it'll grow even bigger to become a Chaurus Reaper."

"C-Chaurus… Reaper?"

"An even bigger Chaurus. They're the ones who lay eggs." Remus continued.

I looked at the dead Chaurus.

They can still grow bigger than this? I looked at Remus briefly as he was scavenging from the corpses' remains. He really does know how to deal with them.

I learned something new, these ones weren't mentioned in the book I read.

We ran through the cave, implementing the same strategy over and over again. It worked just fine, and I didn't have to fight against the Chaurus directly, so I was relieved. We managed to clear small camps of as we went on our way.

"These creatures coat their weapons with chaurus poison. Be careful you don't get hit."

"It's not like—"

I was cut abruptly when an arrow suddenly came flying towards my face. Good thing my reflexes improved; I instinctively tilted my head to the side to dodge, the arrow's tip slightly grazing my cheek.

Remus suddenly casted a fireball spell and flung it towards the Falmer, before pulling me by the arm to retreat.

"Damn it, I just told you to be careful!" Remus gritted as we ran. I couldn't help but stare… he really looked pissed.

Making sure we weren't followed, he gently pushed me near some glowing mushrooms so he could see my face better.

"W-Wait, w-what are you—" I couldn't even finish because he suddenly brought his face close to mine.

"Hold still, you might've been poisoned."

Actually, I have been. I could feel my cheek burning up.

But being poisoned is the least of my concern.

I could feel my heart beating faster and faster by the second.

No matter how much I wanted to look away, my eyes remained fixated on his face which was stricken with worry.

Damn it, it's getting hard to breathe. Remus' face got even closer as he inspected the small wound on my cheek.

W-w-wait. His mouth… I could feel his breathing on my ear.

"Hnn."

Remus was taken aback by surprise. With a puzzled look, on his face he uttered, "What was that?"

For five seconds, it felt like time had stopped, just as much as my breathing.

Did I just whimper?!

I lifted my leg and before giving him a light kick on his chest. "Just… get off!"

Remus stumbled back, still with the same idiotic expression on his face.

"I-It's just…" Think, Serana, think! "D-Don't blow this scratch up. Besides, my vampiric blood can easily take care of this grade of poison."

I wasn't lying. The sharp pain on my cheek was already starting to subside.

Remus watched in awe as the scratch started to close up.

"S-See?"

"I-I guess. Sorry if I was rash. It's just… the first time I was poisoned, I had to endure so much. But maybe it's because I sustained injuries under their weapons." Remus sat straight. "Still, what was that sound?"

I need to think of something, quick!

"I-It just felt painful when the poison's effects were subsiding, so I winced a bit, okay?! Just get up so we can go… wherever we're going!" I stood right up and dusted off my clothes.

I remained behind Remus, but I didn't dare look at him. I wouldn't.

That's so embarrassing… I just want to kill myself already.

I exhaled tiringly.

Just save yourself from further heartache, Serana.


After dealing with several Falmer, and a Chaurus nest, both of us were sneaking unto the next chamber. Before us, just might be the largest Falmer camp we've ever encountered. Just behind the camp, I could hear the gushing of a waterfall.

"This might be a good chance." Remus commented as he strung up his bow and pulling out his dagger. "You could smell it too, right?"

"Smell what? You mean the salt-water?"

"Yeah. The smell could mask us, along with the sound of that large waterfall." Remus turned at the corner of the chamber to observe once more. "There's too many of them. I have to silently take care of them one by one. Their sheer numbers can overwhelm us. But I'll need backup, in case I fail."

"How would you even be able to see them?"

"I think that glow or light behind the waterfall is enough. Besides, I have the Detect Life spell. I'll be fine." Remus gripped his dagger tightly before saying, "If you don't have any more to say, I'm off—"

I quickly pulled his arm, taking him by surprise. "Wait."

"What is it?"

I peeked at the next chamber before I continued, "Avoid the center for now and wait for me."

"Why? What did you see?"

"There's… a Falmer wearing some sort of heavy armor sitting at the middle. I'm not sure but… he's giving me a bad vibe."

Upon hearing what I said, Remus gave off a deep sigh and placed a palm over his face. "Just our luck… that might be a Falmer Warmonger."

"Warmonger?"

"Well, the other adventurers branded it that. They're pretty rare… I've only encountered a Warmonger once." He scratched his head. "All I can say is… they're different… than the others. I almost died that time, pretty sure I had to run."

"What do you mean by different?"

"They're hard to deal with. Resilient… and unbelievably strong. Good thing you spotted it immediately." Remus stretched out his arms. "Well, I'm off."

"W-Wait! What about—" I called in the lowest voice I could muster. Seems like he couldn't hear me as he slowly approached his targets.

Once he reached his first target, he quickly dealt with it without making a sound. How… is that even possible? The same thing happened with his next target, and the next. One by one he dealt with them with ease.

It was only after a matter of time when I realized that I'm witnessing the closest thing Remus might've been doing during an assassination.

Every kill was… clean. No sounds, not even the mess of blood.

The Falmer had no idea who they're mingling with.

Finally, the only one left was the Falmer Warmonger. I unsheathed my blade and prepared to join Remus, when my eye suddenly caught him slowly inching towards the Falmer.

What the hell is that idiot doing?!

Dagger in hand, Remus pounced for the kill only to have his main hand caught midair by the Falmer.

I rushed towards his position, but saw Remus let go of his dagger and catching it with his free arm before stabbing it on the Falmer's side.

The Warmonger snarled in pain and let go of Remus. I quickly casted an ice spike spell and flung it at its direction before it could recover.

But almost instantly, the Warmonger lifted its shield up to block my spell.

That's ridiculous! I thought Falmers were blind? Did it predict my spell by sound?

I was just about to draw my sword when I heard a slash, and the loud thump of the Warmonger's head dropping on the ground.

"Wait… that's not how it's supposed to go…" I heard Remus say to himself.

I slowly walked up to him and said, "Humble-bragging?"

"I caught it off guard thanks to your spell… but I was expecting something a little more out of it."

…What?

"Wait, when you said you almost died when you encountered one… when was it?" I asked.

"I'm not sure… about four years ago?"

I… can't even. He only slew the World-Eater around two years ago… of course, he's exponentially stronger now than he was four years ago!

I was worried for nothing!

"S-Serana? Where are you going?"

"Let's just go." I answered grumpily. "And I'd really appreciate it if you didn't say any more while we look for the next wayshrine."

"I'm just as surprised as you are, you know…"

"Yeah, yeah."

We discovered a path that let us cross the waterfall into another cave tunnel. After traversing the said tunnel, we came upon two rope releases.

Throughout our way, we were able to dodge or disable traps. This one screams trap like the others.

Still, it doesn't seem like a trap made for us. The trap mechanisms were far ahead, closer to what seemed like another dead end.

Remus was about to go closer, but I quickly put my arm on his way.

There were holes near the supposed dead end, while there's a giant iron claw hanging on the ceiling. But it's facing our opposite direction.

Now I get it.

The traps weren't really made for us… and that is no dead end. One of these switches will open it up. The other switch will activate the traps.

I also have a bad feeling… I think something's lurking behind that wall.

I turned to Remus and explained to him the situation. I ended the discussion with, "Whatever's on the other side of this, the Falmer wanted to keep it there."

"Alright, I'll leave it to you then." Remus agreed.

I gave him a nod before looking at the rope releases. I have no clue which one is for the trap and which is for opening the way. It would be in our favor if we found the wall release, so we can activate the traps should danger be on the other side.

I hope I'm picking the right one.

I pulled the rope release to the right. To my dismay, poison darts suddenly started flinging out of the holes near the wall before the iron claw on the ceiling drops quickly then retracts.

I tried pulling the same release again, but the traps won't activate anymore.

"Ah, damn it." I turned to Remus. "Let's just get ready."

Remus drew one of his swords before giving me a nod of affirmation. I pulled the remaining rope release and quickly prepared a spell with my free hand.

As soon as the wall moved downwards, we were startled by a huge black cat with glowing purple spots pouncing on us, already mid-air. Remus immediately stepped forward and thrusted his sword through its heart as soon as it was about to land.

Dispatching the great cat to his side, he looked over its dead body. "The Falmer were avoiding this? It's nowhere as big as the Sabre cats. But—" he started prodding on its teeth, "Their teeth's pretty much the same… but look at the coat too… the spots were glowing earlier, right?"

"Uhh… Remus?"

"I wonder how much gold its hide would fetch…"

Annoyed, I slightly raised my voice. "Remus, let's go." He doesn't even need gold.

"Wait for me for a bit, I'll just skin this one and –"

"Suit yourself. I'm going." Without looking back, I went on to the other side. I heard Remus scramble up from the dead cat's corpse before catching up with me.

Upon reaching the other side, my jaw dropped by the sight that greeted us.

This area was by far the biggest cavern we've found. There was a huge waterfall in the middle while glowing mushrooms of whitish blue color lit up the place… some were even bigger than buildings! Almost every vegetation was glowing… mosses… plants…

"It almost… doesn't look real…" I subconsciously muttered. Surprised with what I just said, I turned to Remus.

He was staring at me with a soft smile on his face. The glow emanating from the area reflected in his eyes… making them even more mesmerizing to look at.

I couldn't help but find myself staring at him back. I swallowed thickly, before my senses shortly came over me.

"W-What?"

Remus just remained smiling. "No, nothing. Let's go." Then he briefly turned around, "Oh, you can give me the ewer now."

Without thinking much, I complied.

"Thanks." He smiled before he started walking down the path. My heart's still pounding, and I could feel my face is all flustered.

I-I really should keep myself from being distracted.

The two of us walked around the waterfall as we made our way down to the other side. On our way, Remus was distracted by the sight of a deer with the same spots with the cat earlier, but I talked him out of hunting it down.

A few moments later, I managed to see our objective up ahead.

"I think that's another wayshrine up there. Let's go."

Upon reaching the wayshrine, a spectral figure approached us and faced Remus, "Welcome, Initiate. This is the Wayshrine of Illumination. I am Prelate Sidanyis."

"Uh… yeah." Remus answered, "I'm Remus and this here's Serana—"

"Are you prepared to honor the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?"

Remus turned to me before mouthing, "He sees you, right?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Must be because you're holding the Ewer."

"Right." he faced the Prelate and cleared his throat, "Yes."

"Then behold Auri-El's gift, my child. May it light your path as you seek tranquility within the Inner Sanctum." the priest approached the Wayshrine and casted the same magic Gelebor did.

Surely enough, the Wayshrine rose from the ground. Remus stepped inside and carefully drew water from the basin at the center. After he did, a portal appeared inside.

"I think this portal will get us out of here." Remus remarked. I stepped inside and looked at another open portal.

"Then where would this take us?" I asked while pointing at the second portal.

"Based on the reflection, it would take us back to the first wayshrine were Gelebor is. These wayshrines might be connected somehow."

"Alright." I sighed. "You ready to go?"

"Whenever you are."


After passing through the second wayshrine portal, we were transferred in another cave chamber. It wasn't as dark as the previous one.

Actually…

"I hear wind." I said with my head lifted up. "It's coming from up there." I pointed at the winding passage above us. "I'm sure there's some kind of exit."

Both of us started ascending the passage and surprisingly enough, there weren't any aggressors. Once we've reached the top, we found the exit.

As soon as we've emerged from the cave hole, we were greeted by an icy wind chill gently hitting our faces.

With regards to where we're at…

"This is incredible… it's like a whole other other world…" I marveled.

I couldn't help it. Being locked up for several years… and being kept at the castle even before that… I will never get tired of seeing new places.

"We're still in Skyrim… right?"

"I'm not very sure." Remus answered while he looked at the snowy mountain range ahead. "Maybe we are, but we're further up North."

I could feel my mouth aching for smiling too much. I really can't help but do it. It was the same feeling I had when we first came to the Ancestor Glade.

Then I remembered what happened back there. Little by little, my mood was turning dark and my smile slowly vanished.

Remus must've noticed as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry. We've learned a lot. Nothing bad will happen while we're out here."

Did he just… read my mind?

Still, he sounded very reassuring with that warm smile. For the first time since we entered Darkfall Cave, I responded with a smile of my own. "Yeah… let's get that bow."

As we descended from the hillside cave, I was fully absorbed with the view. The light from the setting sun warmly touched the pine trees. The streams below were frozen as deer trampled about.

It was… truly peaceful.

Once we're down the valley, Remus looked around and found a space beneath the crag.

"Guess that's a good area to set up camp. Wait there." Remus instructed as he gave me the ewer once more.

I raised a brow. "Where are you going?"

"Getting us dinner."

"We brought food with us Remus." I crossed my arms.

He was silent for a moment. "I-I'm scouting up ahead."

That's… not a bad idea. But, still.

"I'm pretty sure you'd just be out hunting those creatures."

"I—Alright, Fine. I won't be hunting out too much. I'm making scouting my priority." His expression briefly changed. "Besides, I have something else to do. I won't take long."

What was that?

I cleared my head with all thoughts. "Fine, whatever floats your boat."

"You can handle yourself, right?"

"Of course, I can. Just go. I'll have the fire up by the time you come back." I made my way below the crag without looking back at him.

He didn't say it loudly, but thanks to my enhanced hearing I just heard him say, "Thanks, Serana."

By the time I glanced back, he was already nowhere my sight.

I became a little worried.

Just what is he up to?


After an hour of hiking and defending himself from aggressors, the Vale Sabre Cats in particular, Remus finally came upon a huge open space in the valley.

"This seems to be a good place."

Drawing a deep breath, he uttered his name.

DUR… NEH VIIR!

The air twisted around him, as a huge purple spectre took form before his very being.

Massive spikes protruded from his back. His flesh was greatly decayed, and the same thing could be said with his wings.

The great dragon Durnehviir.

The ground shook once Durnehviir has been summoned.

"Ah! The free air of Vus at long last!" the great dragon roared before taking flight.

Remus was taken aback at first, but he quickly became at ease as he watched the old dragon enjoy his flight in Nirn once more.

After a few moments, Durnehviir landed right in front of Remus.

"I must apologize, Qahnariin. It has been a while since I was in Vus. This old dragon could not help himself."

"No, that's fine."

The dragon tilted its head as he loomed over the mortal. "The air around you seem… different from before, Qahnariin."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not the same as we last met. I sense… a greater purpose."

Remus eyes widened for a moment in surprise before scoffing. "You might be right. I did realize a lot of things before coming here. But, that's not what I wanted to discuss."

"Of course. As promised, I will now teach you my Thu'um. the first word of Soul Tearing: Rii."

Before Remus could react, he found himself resonating with the word of power he was just taught. After a moment, he managed to collect himself.

"Ah, I totally forgot about that. Thanks."

"You are most welcome, Qahnariin. Now, where are the enemies you want me to put down?"

"Enemies?"

"You didn't summon me to fight?"

"No. At least, not this time. I almost forgot about this, and now I thought this is the best time to call you. Besides…" Remus drew a deep breath and stared directly at the old dragon's eyes before speaking once more,

"I needed to ask you something."