As beautiful as the valley had been, Akiseta was glad to be back in Skyrim. Her greatest longing was to go to Whiterun, to her daughter. But they were so close to ending this prophecy. The sooner it was dealt with, the sooner she could return home to stay.
Just her, Lucia, and Serana. They could be a little family.
Serana had been quiet since returning from the valley. Akiseta understood why. Her whole life was ripped apart by the foolish, selfish desire of someone else.
To think all this started because Vyrthur blamed Auriel for his vampirism.
Akiseta understood how it felt to lose faith. She'd never had too much faith in the Hist to begin with, but losing what little she'd had was troubling. Even now, it was hard to hold on to the bits of it she'd gotten back.
She also knew how it felt to be angry at the gods, particularly Akatosh. She'd spent many days and nights wondering why he made her Dragonborn, angry that she'd been put into a life that she hadn't asked for.
But to bear so much hatred that Vyrthur had been willing to ruin the lives of everyone in Tamriel to get revenge on a god was beyond vile. As was Harkon wanting to do the same for his own selfish desires.
What angered Akiseta the most was how they wanted to use Serana to get what they want. Granted, Vyrthur would be willing to kill any Daughter of Coldharbour to get what he wanted, and perhaps Harkon would too. But there were so few pure-blooded vampires around now.
The heartless-ness Akiseta had seen of late went far beyond any she had seen in her life, and it made her own heart ache at what it was putting Serana through. What they had to do now would be the hardest thing for her. Having to kill her own father.
Akiseta had pondered any other option, any other alternative. There simply weren't any. After thousands of years, Harkon wouldn't stop now. He hadn't listened to reason then. He wouldn't now. It would be like trying to have reasoned with Alduin, and he'd had more centuries then any vampire.
Akiseta didn't know what to say. What was there even to say? Nobody she once loved ever wanted her dead. The most she could do was figure maybe Serana would feel how she herself felt when fighting dragons.
Seeing the fort was almost strange, after being away so long. Seeing other people was too. But it was nice to be around company. The first person to see them was Agmaer.
"Akiseta! And, Serana. You're back!" He greeted them with a smile. Akiseta was sure that there was still a little bit of a farm boy in him. "What happened to you, Akiseta?"
"Don't worry, Agmaer. I'm fine. Can you gather everyone inside? We need to talk."
"Of course."
"Isran! We're back!" Akiseta called as they stepped inside.
Isran came rushing into the main hall. "Oh, thank the gods you're both back. You were gone for so long. I was getting worried."
"About us both?" Serana asked.
"Well, yes. I.." Isran cleared his throat. "I, uh... Akiseta, what happened to your horn?"
"Don't worry about it. It'll grow back in a few months or so. What matters right now is this." Akiseta slid her backpack off, and pulled out Auriel's bow.
The bow was the most beautiful weapon she'd ever laid eyes on. It had a golden hue, laced with silver trim, and it shimmered even in the dim light. The limbs curved in an elegant manner, a grace all their own. Akiseta could feel it giving off warmth. There was nothing in Tamriel that could even come close to it.
Isran stared at it in awe. "Auriel's bow... I've read the history, but I never could have imagined its beauty." He traced his fingers along the limbs.
"It wasn't easy to get it. But it's our now."
"Then we can finally end this!" Isran looked over at Serana. "Are you... will you be.. is this something..."
"I'll be fine." Serana said. She walked away from them, leaning against a far wall, turning her attention to the floor.
"Is... is she okay?" Isran aske quietly.
"No, she isn't. This has all been far harder on her than any of us can imagine. This prophecy has quite literally ruined her life. And, with what has to happen next..." Akiseta sighed. "I've tried to think of something else, anything else that we can do, but there isn't anything. People don't give up on an obsession, especially when they've held onto it as long as Harkon has."
"Maybe she could say here, then. She doesn't need to come. Not if it will be to hard for her."
"I brought that up to her on the way here. She wants to come. She said she needs to. This does concern her after all."
"I know. I just don't want to put her through anymore pain."
"I appreciate your concern, Isran. And I'm sure she will to. But she wants to come. We're all in this together."
"Alright. I'll round up the rest of my people, and we can go over our plan."
Isran gathered up everyone in the fort, and Agmaer rounded up the rest from outside. They all looked at the bow in awe, muttering quietly amongst themselves about it. Israna raised his hand up to silence them.
"You all know why you came here. To fight back against vampires. That's why the Dawnguard came to be in the first place. You all also know what we're currently up against. A whole clan of vampires, stronger than any you may have face before, and led by a power lord. But we are at the advantage. Not only do we have the Dragonborn on our side, but also the power of Auriel's bow! The gods themselves have shown their favor on us! We must answer with action, and put an end to this unholy prophecy!"
A chorus of cheers filled the room. Akiseta looked around, Everyone seemed so confident and hopeful.
'He certainly knows how to rally his people.'
Isran turned to Akiseta. "Now, we will need some way to get to Harkon's castle. Do you know of anyone in Windhelm that would take us for a price?"
"You're in luck. I know a captain, and he just happens to owe me a favor."
"That's excellent! Now, is there anything else we should discuss before we head out?"
Akiseta crossed her arms, thinking. She remembered how Harkon had said he had people watching the canyon. She also remembered the attack on the fort when she first returned from Castle Volkihar, and the ambush waiting for her and Serana outside of the glade.
"We shouldn't all head out of the fort in one big lump, nor should we travel to Windhelm that way. If Harkon still has scouts eyeing the canyon, they could report it to him, and we'd lose our advantage. We should all leave separately, in pairs, and make our ways to Windhelm along different paths."
Akiseta dug through her backpack, and dug out a silver coin etched with the symbol of the sea. "I was given this by Captain Kjar." She placed the coin in Isran's palm. "If you get to Windhelm before me, show this to him, and tell him I'm calling in my favor. Then explain what we need."
"Alright. We'll meet up in Windhelm. Stay safe, my friend. Both of you."
"You as well."
"So, what's our plan?" Serana asked in a low tone as she and Akiseta left the fort.
"We'll go to Riften, and exit the city through the back way. Then, we'll make way for Ivarstead." Akiseta looked over her map. She had changed out of her armour to hopefully avoid drawing too much attention out in the wilds, "Then, we'll make our way through the plains that straddle the Whiterun-Eastmarch border, cross the White River, make our way to Lake Yorgrim, and follow River Yorgrim to Windhelm"
It seemed like a lot of extra traversing, but Serana knew why it was necessary. If they were being watched, or possibly followed, this was the best way to throw off and loose pursuers.
"My armour will hold until... until this is over. But, I'll buy a sword while we're in Riften."
"Why don't you take this one back for now?" Serana offered, unstrapping the Skyforge Steel sword from her waist.
"Don't you need it?"
"I still have my dagger, and my magic. I know how to fight vampires, Aki. I'll be alright."
"Alright." Akiseta strapped the sword around her waist. "Speaking of, are you alright?"
Serana sighed. "I... I don't know. Since we got back to the fort, everything has really just hit me, you know?"
"I know. The night before I made Odahviing take me to Skuldafn, I was really hit by what I would have to do; catch a dragon, go to Sovngard, kill Alduin, possibly die.. It was a lot to handle. Fortunately, I had Lydia to talk to about it. And I'm here to talk to you. If there's anything you need to say, I'll listen."
"I know. I'm just... trying to process how I feel. I honestly never really thought the day would come where I'd have to.. have to.." Serana didn't know why she couldn't finish the words. She knew this was coming, knew there was no other way.
"I'm sorry, Serana. I wish there was another way, something that would be easier for you. But, we both know there isn't. Harkon's too far gone." Akiseta placed her hands on Serana's shoulders. "And I need you to be the strong person I know you are."
"I'm trying, Aki. I am, I promise. It's just hard."
Serana was trying not to think about Harkon as her father. The hardest part was disconnecting him from the good memories she had of him. She was trying to view them as two completely separate people.
"I know. But I know you can do it. We're in this together. I'm right here, right by your side, my love."
My love.
Hearing those words made Serana feel warm all over. She felt more relaxed. She put her arms around Akiseta, leaning into her. "I'm right here, too."
Akiseta pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "It's going to be okay, iluukai. I promise."