"You and Paarthurnax hit it off." Erik pointed out as he stretched in the courtyard of High Hrothgar, and Delphine came up from behind him. Erik had taken his armor off, and now only wore his gambeson and pants. Even though it was freezing, Erik didn't feel much of the cold, he'd become accustomed to the freezing temperatures of the Throat of the World.
"What can I say, you were right." She admitted. "He's not what I thought he was."
"Good to know you see that now." Erik sighed. "I'm going to need help. By now, Alduin has likely finished that portal, and has it guarded."
"Any ideas of how to even get to the temple? There's no way we can make it on foot."
"No, there's not." Erik agreed as drew his sword and began to practice his cuts, guards and lunges. "That Draco-Hydra shout, I can't use it more than once a day with how much strain it puts on my body. Our best chance is to find a dragon willing to bring me to the temple to finish my fight with Alduin."
"You really think a dragon on Alduin's side would do that?"
"Alduin just ran from a fight." Erik pointed out. "As far as the other dragons are concerned, his place as leader is in question, and the only dragons he's got are the ones too afraid to challenge his word."
"Which I'd wager to be almost all of them."
The Dragonborn paused and shrugged.
"Is M'rissi up?"
"No, still sleeping. So, what the hell was that shout that you used?"
"I don't know." Erik admitted as he sighed. "I was given the words in my sleep, and when Alduin pushed me off the mountain, I realized why I was given the shout."
"And why was that?"
"To fight for the people who can't fight for themselves." The Dragonborn replied. "I was made Dragonborn to fight Alduin, because no one else can. It has to be me."
"I guess that's one way to look at it," Delphine said. "Either way, you picked the perfect time. I think that woman of yours would have tried to shred Alduin herself, if you hadn't turned into that…thing."
Erik chuckled and shook his head.
"Yeah, she's certainly a feisty one, at least, when she isn't reminded of her past." He sighed. "I still wonder what Isael did to her."
"Does it really matter now? The elf is dead."
"I just want to understand her better. Understand her past, at least."
"Fair enough, I guess. You should go wake her." The Blades' woman told Erik.
He nodded and left the courtyard, and as he entered the temple, he bumped into Master Arngeir.
"Ah, Dragonborn, you're awake. Good." The Master gave a small smile.
"I was up for a few hours." Erik shrugged as the two of them started down the hall towards the makeshift bedroom that was set up in the case it was needed. "I have to say, I'm surprised that you let Delphine in the temple."
"Well, what choice did we have? You brought her here, and exposed her to Paarthurnax." Arngeir grunted out, annoyed, but not angry.
"To be fair, she already knew about Paarthurnax." Erik shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised. Both the Greybeards and the Blades were pretty close to the Dragonborn of old."
The Master paused but nodded in agreement.
"I suppose that's true. What of M'rissi? Grandmaster Paarthurnax informed us of Isael's attack, and the condition that he found you in. The girl hasn't spoken to any of us about the event, and neither has Delphine."
"I was just overstrained." Erik explained. "Isael followed us from Riverwood to the Mistwatch Keep. She attacked us the morning after Delphine arrived. Delphine wouldn't have seen much, she was with M'rissi while I was fighting."
"Ah, that explains it then." Arngeir nodded. "Paarthurnax said he could see the flame of your fire from his perch."
"I wouldn't be surprised." The Dragonborn shrugged. "I didn't want a chance of her being able to block it with a ward and surprise me with something nasty, so I poured every ounce of negativity I had into it."
"Well, I just hope you're prepared for what you may have started." The Master sighed.
"They'd be fools to go after us again after that." Erik replied as they neared the room. "We're leaving for Skuldafn today." He told the Greybeard. "If we don't come back, prepare for the worst."
"I doubt we will have to. We have faith in you, Dragonborn."
"Thank you, Master. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Fluffy to wake up."
Erik gave a small smile and entered the small room where his lover was sleeping, though it was obvious that her sleep was not restful.
When M'rissi went to bed, her thoughts were filled with anxiety about her past, and the future, and the fear of losing Erik, which for the second time, almost became reality.
When she closed her eyes, she opened them to her worst fear in the form of a nightmare.
She never saw it, but somehow, she knew her lover had died on that mountain, and now, somehow, Isael had come back to life and captured her.
When she opened her eyes, she was back in her old room on Summer Set.
White floors, dark gray walls, no curtains or sheets on her hard bed, and no windows.
As Isael walked into the dimly lit room M'rissi curled up, her knees pressed against her chest, until the witch grabbed the young Khajiit by the hair and slammed her palm against the side of her face.
"Do you know just what kind of embarrassment you are, you worthless cat?" Isael snarled as she pushed M'rissi away from her. "You made me look like a fool in front of every Thalmor in Skyrim!"
"S-She is sorry mistress…" M'rissi whimpered as she rubbed her cheek, which had already started to burn red.
"And that stupid Nord, how dare he attack me in such a manor! I should thank that dragon for killing him for me."
M'rissi looked away, her heart ached as she recalled the moment Erik was flung off the Throat of the World.
"But, as for you, let's see how rebellious you are after three days of not eating." The High Elf spat out. "You're lucky I don't throw you out to the streets. A cat like you wouldn't make it a day without me here."
"She made it many days without you in Skyrim. And she was happy." M'rissi growled, but recoiled as Isael raised her hand.
But she didn't bring it down on the young girl. Instead, Isael huffed and turned away from the Khajiit.
"Make it four days, then."
And with that, Isael left M'rissi's room in darkness, and the young Khajiit could do nothing but sob and lay on her cold, hard bed.
But then her world began to shake. It was like her whole body was rocked back and forth.
"M'ri." A familiar voice called out, and a loud, screeching roar rang out before something ripped the roof off her room, and an enormous, three headed dragon stared her down.
In the waking world, Erik shook M'rissi's shoulder ever so gently.
"M'ri." He whispered as he laid beside her and stroked her hair.
M'rissi stirred in her sleep, her eyes opened slow, and she turned to her lover.
"Erik?" She spoke in a soft voice and nuzzled him. "She was having a bad dream. Isael was back and you were—"
Erik stopped M'rissi in her tracks with a kiss, and the young woman leaned into the kiss as she pressed her body to him for comfort.
"Nothing but a nightmare, dii lokaal." The Nord replied. "I'm right here."
"Her head is all fuzzy and her thoughts are jumbled…" M'rissi sighed and nuzzled her head into Erik's neck. "M'rissi does not like feeling like this."
"I know." Erik sighed and kissed the top of her head as he searched for a way to get her mind off of the nightmare. "You don't have to answer this, but it's been on my mind since Mistwatch, but when we met, did you act like you didn't remember your name?"
"M'rissi did not know if she could trust you." The Khajiit replied and looked up to her lover. "She needed to know."
"Well, I'm glad you took that leap with me." Erik smiled. "You need to get ready, M'ri." He said as he tried to sit up, but M'rissi refused to move. "Dii Lokaal, we need to go—"
"No." M'rissi replied, firm. "She does not want you to go and fight that monster! He almost killed you before!"
Damn it.
"M'rissi, I don't have a choice." Erik replied and forced his way up, though he was careful not to hurt her. "Alduin isn't going to wait for me to get stronger. It's either now or never, and I'd rather not find out what happens if I choose never."
M'rissi looked away and shrunk into herself. The fear of losing Erik was almost suffocating. She felt helpless. She hated feeling helpless.
She knew that there wasn't anything she could do to stop Erik from fighting Alduin, but she also knew that if she did, she'd be destroying everything else.
"M'rissi." Erik sighed as he knelt down to her level. "I know you're scared. I'm scared. This isn't something that I want to do, it's something I need to do." He told her as he crawled over to her and planted a kiss on her lips.
M'rissi looked away, her heart filled with dread as the fresh memory of her nightmare reminded her of a possible future without Erik. A future that she didn't want to think about. She didn't have a choice, however; it was a fear that she would have to face today, whether she wanted to or not.
She turned back to Erik and returned the kiss, but the usual confident smirk that she wore wasn't there. In its place were eyes filled with a contained fear that threatened to break out at any moment.
"Come on, we've gotta get ready. We've lost a lot of time as it is." Erik sighed and helped his lover to her feet and handed M'rissi her leather armor. "We've got to get you some better gear. That armor is looking worn."
"M'rissi likes her leather!" She replied.
Erik shook his head and poked at her belly, which had a hole from the wear and tear that the leather cuirass had gone through.
"One well-placed arrow, M'rissi. I don't want to take a risk like that. After this fight with Alduin, we're getting you something better."
"Like what?" M'rissi asked.
"Probably something reinforced with chainmail, maybe made with Dragon scales. Those seem to be pretty tough."
"You want to give M'rissi armor made of dragon scales?" She asked and thought about it for a moment before she nodded. "She likes the idea! As long as it is not too heavy!" She said as she helped Erik into his Dwarven armor.
It wasn't long before they were back at the top of the Throat of the World, with Paarthurnax ready to bring them to the Skyrim-Morrowind border.
"Are you ready, Dragonborn?"
"Do I have a choice?" Erik asked and turned to Delphine and M'rissi.
"I hope you two know, you don't have to come with me—"
"M'rissi will never let you fight some monster alone!" The Khajiit replied and scowled at Erik.
"I'm with her on this one. The Blades have always been by the Dragonborn's side, that's not going to change just because you're fighting the World-Eater himself." Delphine assured him. "You have my sword, Dragonborn."
"And her bow, dii lokaal."
"Well…" Erik sighed. "It's not perfect, but I'm not complaining." He gave a smirk and motioned to Paarthurnax. "We're ready."
"Very well, Dovahkiin. A fair warning, the Dovah that still follow Alduin will challenge you, I will do what I can, but I cannot promise safe passage."
"Then don't." Erik replied as the dragon lowered his head for the trio. "When we get there, return to Skyrim, M'rissi, Delphine and I will make our own path." He said as he climbed onto the dragon and helped M'rissi, who then helped Delphine.
"We'll carve our way through every dragon there, if that's what it takes." Delphine smirked as the Grandmaster of the Greybeards flapped his large, leathery wings and took off.
"I am glad to hear that. Nii aal ni kos ol vahk ol hi saag. However, I have faith in your ability."
"And I am glad to hear that." The Dragonborn replied. "Zu'u fen kriin Alduin, orin waan nii krii zey."
"Zu'u draal nii dreh ni bo wah tol."
"She wonders if she can speak like a dragon…" M'rissi interrupted as she leaned into Erik.
"I'll have to teach you when we come back." Erik chuckled and leaned back into her. "It'd be nice to be able to talk to someone who doesn't have giant leathery wings, no offence."
"Niid Kuz." The Dragon replied.
The rest of the ride was silent. It was almost unnerving, nothing but the wind and the flap of Paarthurnax's wings, and M'rissi's loud purr, which could be heard, even by Delphine.
Then it came into view. Skuldafn, an ancient Nordic Temple of the Dragon Priests. The Gateway to Sovngarde.
The roars of dragons could be heard from miles, and they filled Erik's heart with dread, and his mind with worry.
Until one roar caught his attention.
"Paarthurnax!" It came from above, the voice came from a dragon with blood red scales and white wings. He leveled himself with the Old One and let out a low growl. "Hi lost qethserigir mindin pah."
"Odahviing, lost hi bo wah krii zey?"
"Ni tul. The others have decided, Alduin must be tested."
"You'd let us pass?" Erik spoke up.
"The Dovah have a sense of honor, joor, such as the Nords. It is cowardly to flee from battle. Alduin has compromised his place, killing you would prevent his fall."
"And if I kill him?"
The Dragon chuckled.
"If." He replied. "You will still have to deal with Nahkriin. He will not let you pass into Sovngarde. Not without a fight."
"Then I'll fight him, and I'll win."
"Mu fent koraav." Odahviing snarled and banked off to let them pass.
It wasn't long before Paarthurnax landed and let the small group off.
"Fight well, Dragonborn." The Old One grunted out before he took off once more to join the dragons above as they waited to see the outcome of the upcoming fight.
It wasn't long before several draugr caught sight of the group and began making their way towards them.
"Any plan?" Delphine asked as she unsheathed her sword and casted an Oakflesh spell on herself.
"Yeah, kill them all." Erik replied as he unsheathed his sword and started slicing through the enemies with his dwarven sword with Delphine, while M'rissi targeted the Draugr with bows.
"Fus-Ro-Dah!" One of the Draugr croaked out at the Dragonborn, who stood tall and resisted the Unrelenting Force.
"Hin zul los sahlo, wuth jul!" Erik replied before he slid his sword into the monster's throat.
It wasn't long after they started their march against the forces of Alduin that they arrived at the portal to Sovngarde, and came face to face with the Dragon Priest, Nahkriin.
"Dovahkiin, Zu'u lost saraan." The creature growled as it took its staff from the platform and closed the portal. "Hi fent mah naal dii haal, ahrk waan ni dii, Alduins."
"The only hand that I will fall to will be M'rissi's." The Dragonborn quipped before he unleashed a firebreath shout upon the monster before him.
When the flames faded, the Priest stood, and the air shimmered with the remnants of a ward.
"Dir, vax!" The Priest replied as it used its staff to try to scorch the Dragonborn, but his armor protected him as he charged forwards.
Nahkriin growled and used the staff to block the dwarven sword as Erik brought it down on the priest.
"Traitor? You're the one who betrayed your people to worship a monster!"
"Nahlot, heretic!" The Priest snarled, but paused as Erik pulled away for another swing.
Then he noticed the strange looking Khajiit girl behind him with her string pulled back, and a small weakness in her armor.
The Draugr grinned behind his mask.
"Fus…" the priest inhaled and the dragonborn swung his blade. "Ro-Dah!"
The force of the shout was enough to stagger the Dovahkiin and give the Dragonpriest enough time to charge an ice spear spell that he sent flying into the Dovahkiin's lover.
Time seemed to slow as the spear passed Far-Giver.
He tried to intercept the attack, but he was too slow, and Delphine was not able to conjure her ward fast enough to protect the Khajiit from the attack.
M'rissi gasped as the ice impaled her abdomen and melted to let her bleed out.
"No!" Erik exclaimed as his lover fell to her knees and collapsed. "Delphine!"
"I'm on it!" The Blade replied as she produced a minor healing potion from her pouch and emptied the vial in M'rissi's mouth before she began to focus her magicka into a slow healing spell.
"You'll pay with your life for that." Erik snarled as he threw down his shield, grabbed the staff that Nahkriin wielded and slid his sword into his heart. "And so will Alduin."
Erik let the body of Nahkriin drop, but he slid the staff back in its place and opened the portal once more.
"Is she okay?" Erik asked as he turned and came to M'rissi's side.
"She'll live, I think." Delphine sighed. "I'm sorry—"
"You have nothing to apologize for. You couldn't have predicted that he'd go for M'rissi." Erik sighed. "Vahraan-Kaan-Laas!" The Dragonborn spoke and his breath became life, healing M'rissi's wound in an instant.
But she didn't wake.
"She'll be fine. Stay with her while I go after Alduin."
"Are you sure?" Delphine asked.
"You can't fight if you're carrying her on your back. I'll be fine on my own." Erik assured his friend. "I'm going to the resting place of every noble warrior in history. I'm sure there's at least one or two other Dragonborn in there. Either that, or a whole bunch of Tongues."
"Well then, come back safe, Far-Giver. I'd hate to have to be the one to tell her that you died."
"Zu'u fen kriin tol Dovah, uv Zu'u fen ni dir naalein." And with that, the Dovakiin stepped into the portal to the land of the dead heroes.
When he opened his eyes after the brief stent of darkness that overcame him while he crossed through to Sovngarde, what he saw terrified him.
"My gods…" He gasped as his eyes gazed at the broken and destroyed lands.
Alduin wasn't just eating the souls of the lost, he was eating Sovngarde itself!
"Forgive me, Shor. I've allowed Alduin to live for far too long." Erik sighed and raised his gaze to the Hall of Valor, where an enlarged Alduin struggled against the powers of the warriors inside. "Gein-Wo-Los-Pogaan!" The Dragonborn bellowed.
When the light faded, and the Hydra took Erik's place, the monster lifted its mighty wings and let out an ear-piercing, high-pitched, screeching, roar that overcame Alduin's own shouts and rendered them useless against the Nords that he fought.
"Al-Du-In!" Each head of the dragon spoke with its own voice. "Hin oblaan los nu!" The Hydra growled as it lifted itself and started towards the World-Eater.
From the warrior's perspective inside the Hall of Valor, they heard the war cry, and soon witnessed as Alduin was attacked by the massive, three headed dragon.
The monster slammed itself into Alduin and pinned it to a near-by rock that had floated by before he unleashed a flurry of shouts.
Unrelenting Force and Fire Breath blasted the Foul One, while Ice Form froze its wings to the rock he was pinned under.
"Fus-Ro-Dah!" Alduin replied and pushed Erik's dragon form off of him and broke the ice that encased his wing. "How dare you attack me, impostor!"
"How dare you attack my people, Bane of Kings." The Hydra replied as it saved itself from smashing into the Hall of Valor. "Hi aal lost tet do Lein Naakin, nuz hi los nid niz nikriin."
"I will enjoy devouring your soul!" Alduin roared. "Krii-Lun-Aus!" The World-Eater exclaimed.
"Tiid-Klo-Ul!" Erik replied and moved himself away from the life-ending shout before he released another shout. "Qo-Lok-Strun!" And his breath became lightning that struck Alduin and left him with burns so deep that Alduin's very soul burned through the wounds.
"Hi…los nid wah zey…" Alduin croaked out as he struggled to right himself from Erik's attacks.
"Nid." The center head spoke with authority as it landed in front of Alduin. "Zu'u los hin dukiin."
Before Alduin could retaliate, before he could even move to speak, the Dragonborn unleashed one last shout.
"Fus-Toor-Yol!"
A blast of fire ripped through Alduin's very being and burned his scales to ash and moments later, the ancient dragon's soul burned the corpse away into nothing as it shot into the sky of Sovngarde.
Thus, Alduin's reign of terror and pain ended in that moment, and in a flash of blinding, white light, the land of the dead heroes was returned to its natural state, and Erik had returned to his human form.
"Mul-Qah-Diiv!" Erik groaned out as his body felt the strain of his Draco-Hydra form hit him like a stone wall.
Soon, Erik arrived at the Hall of Valor and was greeted by Jurgen Windcaller.
"Dovahkiin." The man gave a short bow as the other masters of the voice had on Nirn. "Were you that monster that attacked the World Eater?"
"I was. I believe Akatosh himself blessed me with the shout." The Nord nodded and observed the other warriors, who were assessing the losses. "Master Windcaller—"
"You have no need to call me master, Dragonborn." The Greybeard replied as he rested his hand on the Dovahkiin's shoulder. "You've done the world a great service by killing Alduin."
"If I knew he was capable of literally consuming Sovngarde, I'd have killed him faster."
"It does not matter, Dragonborn, he is dead now, and Sovngarde has been restored." The Greybeard gave a small smile. "However, your job here is done. You still have much to do in the world of the living. Unfortunately, Tsun was destroyed during the fight with Alduin, so I must send you back to Nirn. Before I do, though, I must give you a gift."
"Oh?"
"Yes, it is a shout. Hun Kaal Zoor, Hero, Champion, Legend." The man said, and as he did, his understanding of the words passed from him, to Erik. "Now, return to Nirn, Dovahkiin. You have much left to do." He continued. "Nahl-Dal-Vus!"
The next time Erik opened his eyes, he was back at Skuldafn, above him, the Dragons, perched on the buildings.
"Mu los vomir!" One dragon cheered as it lifted itself from the building and began circling the Dragonborn from above.
"Alduin mahlaan!" Another spoke as it did the same, then another, soon every dragon that was once there to defend the portal and kill the Dragonborn, now circled him in reverence.
"Sahrot thur qahraan!" A third declared.
"They seem happy…" Delphine said as Erik knelt to check on M'rissi. "She's still knocked out."
"Dovahkiin los ok dovahkriid!" A fourth added.
"Alduin thu'um los nahlot!"
"They're celebrating." Erik replied as he sighed and The Old One and Odahviing landed before them.
"Dovahkiin, hi lost krinaan faal Thur." Odahviing growled. "We are at your command."
"My command?" Erik asked.
"Yes, you have proven to be stronger than any Dovah. We recognize you as our new lord."
Erik thought for a moment as Paarthurnax watched him. The Dragonborn turned to M'rissi, and thought of their future, and what would be best for them, before he turned back to reply.
"I want you and the other Dovah to learn from Paarthurnax." Erik replied. "Learn the peaceful ways of the Voice, and harm no mortal again."
"Peace?" Odahviing cocked his head. "We Dovah are strangers to peace. We dominate—"
"If Paarthurnax can learn to submit himself to peace, the rest of you can. Though, I'm not asking for pacifism. Dragons are immortal, I am not. When I am gone, you will need to protect Skyrim from outside threats."
"I see." The former right-hand of Alduin. "And if one of us refuse to follow?"
"Then I will deal with them, personally." The Dragonborn replied. "The only thing I ask is that you end the dragon attacks across Tamriel. Other than that, you may live freely."
"What of myself?" The Dragon spoke. "I do not wish to learn the ways of peace. I wish to fight alongside you, Dovahkiin."
"As long as you don't attack the innocent, I see no reason why you shouldn't."
"Dovahkiin." Paarthurnax spoke. "You have proven yourself to be more than what I expected. What you have done was no small task." The Old One sighed as the other dragons left. "I will bring you back to the Throat of the World, where you and your group may rest—"
"No." Erik shook his head. "You need to go back with the other dragons and teach them the Way of the Voice. Odahviing will take me to Riverwood."
"Riverwood?" Odahviing asked. "Fos los ko tol nid do lohiim?"
"My home. One I was forced out of, and one I will return to."
"Very well." The Dragon nodded and lowered its head while Paarthurnax lifted off and left without another word. "The Kaaz, is she coming as well?"
"She is. Her name is M'rissi, and her word is tantamount to my own."
Odahviing laughed.
"Joor. You cannot simply assign authority. If you wish for her to have your authority, she must earn it. Now, climb on my back and we will leave."
Erik sighed and grumbled, but helped Delphine pick M'rissi up and held his lover tight as the dragon lifted off and took them back to Skyrim.
This time, however, it didn't seem to take as long for the Nord, as he passed out half-way there, when his Dragon Aspect faded.
When he opened his eyes, they were within sight of Riverwood.
"Shall I land, Dovahkiin?" Odahviing asked.
"Land near the town. I'll make sure no one attacks." Erik ordered, and the Dovah dove towards the outskirts of the town.
As they landed, several guards drew their weapons, but the Dragonborn stopped them.
"Don't attack!" Erik shouted as he crawled off the dragon and helped Delphine take the still-sleeping M'rissi off. "He's with me."
"Erik." The Dragonborn heard Alvor's voice as the guards shrugged and sheathed their weapons. "I thought I told you to leave—"
"You can tell me whatever you want." Erik shot back and pushed passed his former mentor with M'rissi in his arms. "This is my home too, Alvor. The elves won't be a problem. At least they shouldn't be."
"Boy—"
"If you tell me to leave, the last thing you're going to see is my golden fist shoving itself up your ass." Erik snapped and started towards his cabin. "I'm sleeping for a week after what I just went through." He groaned, and without another word, he shambled his way towards his cabin, laid M'rissi down on his bed, took his armor off and crawled into bed next to her with his chest pieces on the ground, where they fell.
And his eyes closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.
A/N: Yo, so, I ended up taking this down after I first posted it because I realized that this chapter was supposed to wrap things up for the base game's story, but didn't cover Erik coming back to Riverwood. My bad.
Anyways, for those of you who saw the last time this was posted, nothing's changed. I still plan on going on a hiatus with ToT (for those who didn't see, the hiatus is to get an idea of how to introduce the other DLC and the other plans I have for the story) and writing other fics to make up for the gap. I still don't know what's going to be released, what's not, we'll find out.
I won't make any promises as to when they'll be released, because I generally end up overshooting whatever I say by about at least a week or two.
Anyways, thanks for reading this far! If you've enjoyed, make sure to follow the story for when it comes out of hiatus! If you like my work, be sure to follow my account.
