A/N:
So this is a bit longer then the original i had written up. I feel good about this chapter though. I was trying to cover most of the quest: Awakening, in this chapter because you know, the journey to Serana's home is pretty boring in the game. almost kinda like a fetch quest you could say
The woman in the coffin
Two days later Arkyn had made his way into the Pale. He didn't want to push Frost to hard after all. The stead was loyal and had served the Dragonborn well. Though the years were catching up to the beast. A mile or so before reaching the Hall of the Vigilants he could see and smell the black smoke of a dying fire. Upon approaching the Hall, he could see why Tolan had been so distraught. The stench of burnt and rotting corpses hung in the air. Both from the half-dusted vampire corpses and slain Vigilants.
Arkyn paused for a moment taking in the destruction. Sure, Vigilants weren't the strongest of warriors, but they were no push overs either. To have destroyed the lot of them. Maybe these weren't just random attacks.
He decided not to sift through the wreckage and moved on until he spotted fresh tracks. Arkyn dismounted Frost and tied him to a tree to follow the trail. Tolan had offered his blade and set off on his own to meet the Dragonborn by Dimhollow so he assumed the tracks were his.
Only minutes passed as he followed the trail up a mountain path that had turned to ancient steps carved into the stone. At the top of the stairs sat a cave that looked old. The familiar stench of decay and stale air assaulted the Dragonborn's senses. He had grown used to the smell, though it still wasn't a pleasant one.
Arkyn looked the sky that had turned to twilight and exhaled deeply. He had a strange feeling about this place.
Shortly after following the narrow passageway inside the cave, he came to a small cavern. Running through the middle was a small creek and just on the other side stood two figures over a corpse that belonged to a Nord.
"Tolan…". The name was spoken so softly that even he wasn't sure he had said it. Damn fool, Arkyn had warned him not do anything foolish until he arrived. He shook the thoughts from his mind and crouched, almost disappearing into the shadows as he made his way closer to the hooded strangers. Something that had really caught his attention were the hellishly dark looking hounds that had permafrost practically dripping from their maws.
The two figures stood over Tolans body and talked amongst themselves, completely oblivious of Arkyns presence.
Arkyn drew his newly acquired crossbow and took aim. The contraption seemed simple enough and as he released the bolt it made a sickening thud when it connected with its target. The second target immediately drew a dagger from its left and a blood-colored mist engulfed its right. The two hounds had also made their way over, drawn by the hissing of their remaining master.
Arkyn fumbled with the crossbow trying to load another bolt as the remaining vampire charged at him. "Bloody hell, screw it!", he yelled to himself. He threw the crossbow at the vampire who, in all honesty hadn't expected it and hissed furiously as the contraption hit its chest and clattered to the ground. Arkyn drew his left sword with speed that surprised his foe and immediately ducked as a fireball sailed past its head and connected with one the black hounds that had charged.
Arkyn laughed aloud as the vampire scrambled to its feet while the second hound lunged at him. The Dragonborn simply side stepped the beast and kicked it to the ground as it landed before putting his foot through its skull with a crunch that could make skin crawl. The vampire called out to him in fury.
"You'll pay for that mortal! I'm going to drink you dry!"
Arkyn charged another fireball in his right as the vampire charged him again. Though instead of throwing it he charged as well, holding the fire in his hand. As the vampire swung wildly with its dagger and tried to drain him with blood-magic, Arkyn connected his shoulder with the vampire with all his force, causing it to fly back a few feet and hit the ground with a thud.
Before it could react Arkyns sword drove home straight through its undead heart followed by the fireball that had been unnecessarily overcharged and almost completely turning the creature to a smoldering corpse.
Wiping his blade off on his leg he sheathed it and went to pick up the crossbow he'd thrown earlier, he'd have to take time to actually learn this new weapon, though it wouldn't take long. looking at the gate the vampires had been standing beside as they mocked the fallen Vigilant. Arkyn took a look around the room knowing that there would be a lever somewhere, there always was. He found a tower tucked away in the corner of the cavern and sure enough inside was a lever that made the gate screech open. Arkyn sighed as he made his way to the door on the other side.
This was going to be a long night, he thought himself.
The rest of the crypt had went about as expected. Mindless draugr, the occasional frostbite spider den. At the end of the crypt, he found a giant frostbite spider fighting a rather old looking vampire. He waited, letting the two beasts fight it out before striking.
Not surprisingly, the vampire defeated the spider. Arkyn didn't waste time by clinging to the shadows and instead walked straight towards the vampire drawing his right sword. The metal rang out in the room immediately drawing the attention of the elder vampire.
"I have no idea how you made it this far mortal, but you will die here". The vampire rushed the Dragonborn.
Arkyn rolled his eyes. They made it to easy. The two clashed blades, each trying to over power the other. The vampire bared its fangs, its breath horrendous. Arkyn grinned, shifting his weight to the left causing the vampire to fall forwards and lose its balance. Arkyn seized the opportunity and disarmed the vampire with his right sword by cutting its hand. With his left he grabbed its throat and slammed it to the ground. The creature howled in while swinging wildly with its remaining hand. Arkyn simply ran his blade through its throat and watched the un-life leave its eyes as choked on its on blood.
The Dragonborn stood straight and faced the ancient looking door the vampire had been presumably guarding. The door was ancient, though wood not rotten. The architecture around door was masterful. Something powerful lay behind the door.
Pushing the door open slowly he was greeted with a balcony that had an unexpected view. Before him the room opened to a massive chasm. In the center was a circular platform with pointed arches along edges of the platform.
Movement followed by voices drew Arkyns attention to a second floor below him. Two more of what he could only assume were vampires stood over another Nord, this one still alive.
"I'll never tell you anything, vampire!", the Nord yelled. "My oath to Stendarr is stronger than any suffering you can inflict on me".
The vampire closest to him laughed and pulled its sword. "I believe you Vigilant". The fiend leaned in, touching its sword to the Vigilants throat hard enough to draw blood. "And I don't think you even know what you've found here".
Arkyn made ready his crossbow having figured out how to reload it as the vampire continued. "So go and meet your beloved Stendarr". The vampire slit the Vigilants throat with a grin. The second scoffed.
"Are you sure that was wise Lokil? He still might have told us something. We haven't gotten anywhere with…", the vampire Lokil started walking towards the stairway leading to the circular platform and cutting off its companion. Arkyn followed silently crouched.
"He knew nothing", Lokil continued. "He served his purpose by leading us to this place. Now it is up to us to bring Harkon the prize. And we will not return without it".
Arkyn made a note of the name, "so they answer to some named Harkon", he thought to himself.
Lokil continued to speak as they reached the platform. "Vingalmo and Orthjolf will make way for me after this". Loikil's companion chuckled.
"Yes of course Lokil. Do not forget who brought you news of the Vigilants' discovery".
Arkyn rolled his eyes with a huff, he'd heard enough.
The Dragonborn took aim and fired. The sound from the crossbow immediately drew both creatures' attention to the steps where Arkyn was still crouched. The fired bolt sailed past the head of its target. Arkyn scowled at the contraption in his hands and cursed under his breath before calling out to the bloodsuckers.
"Let's have at it then ya' bastards!".
Arkyn put away the bow, his left sword already leaving its sheath as bolts of lightning arched in his direction from the second. The Dragonborn rushed towards the second vampire conjuring a lesser ward as he was pelted with lightning. It did nothing to stop his advance as spun on his heel and cut through Lokils lackey.
Its head rolled down the steps to Lokils feet, who stood there eyeing the hooded figure in front of him, his sword at the ready. "I do not know who you are, but this will not end with you victorious". Arkyn laughed, taking a few steps down the stairs.
"You know", he started, his right hand behind his back with a dagger in hand. "I've heard that a lot, especially from arrogant creatures such as you". Lokil bared his fangs and rushed the Dragonborn. Arkyn was quick, the dagger in his hand had taken flight and found its target in Lokils sternum. Arkyn wasn't far behind and slammed into Lokil's face with his right fist.
Lokil went to went the ground gasping for air and clutching his chest. Arkyn put his boot on the vampires chest and bared down his weight. Lokil howled in pain and hissed at the man in front of him before his sliced through his neck.
Arkyn huffed, sheathing his sword. He wasn't sure what it was exactly, but he was starting to get bored. Nothing was presenting a challenge for him. That wasn't to say he was bored with his life, he'd grown to love his home life. Even if his wife wasn't there to enjoy it with him.
Arkyn shook his thoughts, still starring at Lokil's motionless body. He retrieved his dagger and put it away before heading onto the circular platform. Brazier's were scattered around the platform. A pillar stood in the center. On top of the pillar was an opening with dried blood around it. He didn't like it, but didn't see any other options.
Arkyn placed his hand on the pillar and immediately regretted his decision. A large spike pierced his hand, not retracting until his blood flowed down into the pillar itself and leaving a decent sized hole in his hand. The braziers surrounding him lit aflame. An ethereal purple wall that looked like flames flowed from the ground. He looked at the "flame" with suspicion but placed his injured hand just over the top and felt nothing. The braziers were simple enough, having just to slide them into place.
As the last one slid into place the floor beneath him shifted. He drew his left sword, his injured hand near his chest. In the center of platform an even bigger column appeared as the floor sank. Arkyn approached it with caution, placing his injured hand flat on the column and leaving a bloody hand print.
The wall that he had touched suddenly jutted outward and slid down. What happened next was something he could never predict. As the door disappeared a woman stepped out, her eyes remained closed.
She could smell blood. A mix of vampire and human and, something… something more primal. Her eyes opened to see a man, not a vampire, but a man. He held his hand close to his chest, a sword pointed at her with his left. She inhaled deeply taking in his scent and the smell of his blood. He was tall, at least a head or so taller then herself. The only part of his face visible were his eyes which drew her curiosity. They were as white as frost, unflinching, and focused slowly on her.
Her head started to throb, she put her hand to her temple. "Uhh… Where is… Who sent you here?".
Arkyn starred at the Nord woman before him, her eyes a dim hue of golden-orange. Another vampire. He was growing tired of these blood suckers. The problem before him was that it hadn't attacked him, which was curious.
"Who were you expecting", he was blunt, his voice low. The vampiress continued to rub her temple.
"I was expecting someone… someone like me, at least". Her voice was strained.
Arkyn stayed silent for a moment, pondering whether or not to continue this conversation. The vampiress made no move towards him. "A man named Isran", he answered plainly. She shook her head, moving her hand to her hip.
"I… don't know who that is. Is he … like me?". The vampires question nearly made him laugh, though instead he managed to stifle himself causing the woman to glare at him. It wasn't as though he knew Isran that well, but from their one and only meeting so far it was clear the man hated vampires more than anything.
"No, no he isn't. As a matter of fact he'd want me to kill you". The vampiress sighed, watching the mans blade that hadn't even so much as wavered at this point.
"Great, vampire hunters", she droned, glancing around the cavern. This time Arkyn chuckled.
Arkyn looked her over, and nearly kicked himself when he finally noticed the Elder Scroll on her back. "What in Oblivion would a vampire need an Elder scroll", he thought to himself. "Why were you locked away down here?", he asked suddenly drawing her attention back to him.
"That's… complicated. And I'm not really sure I can trust you", she said gesturing to the mans sword. "But if you want to know the whole story, help me get back to my family home". The vampiress' request had visibly caught the man off guard.
"And why shouldn't I just kill you now", he said more as statement. The woman crossed her arms. She was fairly certain that if he was planning to kill her he'd have done it the moment he realized what she was.
"Because I've given you no reason to".
Arkyn blinked, she had a point. She hadn't even so much as stepped towards him once she had stepped out of the column. Arkyn sheathed his sword in the blink of an eye and reached into the satchel on his side and found a piece of cloth to wrap his injured hand in.
"Very well, where do you need to go?".
The woman was surprised he had agreed. Frankly she had expected him to simply leave if he had decided not to attack her.
"My family used to live on an island West of Solitude. I would guess they still do", she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "By the way, my name is Serana. Its good to meet you". Arkyn glared for a moment as she starred back at him.
"I wouldn't go that far just yet", he said plainly. Arkyn turned away from her and walked to the opposite end of where he'd come in. Serana followed him quietly but slowly. Her head was still dizzy from having just woken up, and the scent of his blood did not help matters. Arkyn paused for a moment, turning to face her.
"So any idea how to get out of here?". His question was honest enough and more rhetorical than anything else. The place was big, and admittedly he had been distracted quite a bit after having entered the room.
Serana shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. This place looks pretty different from when I was locked away". Arkyn raised an eyebrow, he was curious to know just how long that might have been. But for now he more important things to worry about.
It didn't take him long to find a path on the other end of the cavern though. As the two approached the steps, two large braziers had lit up.
Arkyn heard Serana stumble behind him as he made his way up the path. With a groan he made his way back to her while unwrapping his right hand. He offered his left help her stand once he reached her. "Sorry, guess I'm a little weaker than I thought".
The Dragonborn said nothing, instead he simply offered her his right hand once she was upright. Serana starred at it dumb founded for a moment. The gesture was simple but it was strange. To willingly let a vampire drink from him. Sure, not attacking her out right was strange enough, but this just confused her.
"Are you sure?", her voice was soft. Her eyes narrow, as if looking to root out some kind of deception on his part. Though the man only nodded, his eyes never left hers. Without any more hesitation she brought his hand to her mouth. His scent was intoxicating. The blood its self rich and thick. It wasn't like anything she had ever tasted before. She drank quickly, not wanting to let go. Had the man not pulled his hand away she wouldn't have been able to stop herself.
Serana gasped as she was interrupted. Her blurred vision lessened as she focused on the man bandaging his wound once again. She wiped her lower lip clean on her sleeve and did her best to regain her composure. Neither of them said a word as they continued to walk because, realistically, how does one go about thanking another for something like that? From a stranger no less.
As the two made it up the path Arkyn approached two stone statues. Something was off about them though he couldn't place it. Serana hadn't really been paying attention to warn him of what was about to happen. Arkyn looked closer and noticed that neither statue had a spec of dust on it when both statues busted free from their stone casing.
The Dragonborn rolled back as the one closest to him tried to lung at him, its claws fully extended. By the time he rolled back to his feet he had both swords in hand, ignoring the searing pain from his right hand as he gripped his sword tightly. As the first beast continued to charge him he took his stance. Though before he could attack, a large spike made of ice pierced the beasts neck causing it to fall to the ground in front of his feet. Arkyn looked over in the direction the spike had come to see Serana standing there shrugging.
The second beast roared in anger over its fallen comrade. Arkyn rushed the creature, spinning on his heels dodging each swipe from the beast and matching it blow for blow. The creature was bloodied badly within minutes, its breath ragged as heaved and swung wildly at the man. Serana watched genuinely entertained by the mans style. It was as if he were dancing, his swords swinging in harmony with one another as he spun and twirled effortlessly. Parrying with ease each time the beast swung its razor sharp claws.
It didn't take long for the beast to fall, its body covered in blood. Arkyn watched the beast exhale before going motionless. He shook his blades to remove the excess blood from them before sheathing both blades. Serana started to walk towards him to say something but the man had started walking before she could get a word out.
The further the two made it into the crypt the louder he could hear the oh so familiar rhythmic hum of a black wall. It didn't take him long to find it, though as the two entered the room it was located in they were greeted with yet more draugr. The undead were easy enough to kill though, they never really were. Arkyn had asked the vampire to stay back while he dealt with the draugr, she was still showing signs of fatigue. When the chamber was cleared Arkyn poked around a bit finding not only the black wall, but an ancient tome of necromantic healing that he tucked away into his satchel.
Shortly after the room with the black wall the two had made their way to an opening. The night air filled the cave exit. Both the Dragonborn and the vampiress inhaled deeply, both having been relieved to be out of the stale crypt.
The wind howled around them as Serana looked up into the night sky. "Ah, it's so good to breathe again!", she said with a hint of joy in her voice. "Even in this weather its better than the cave".
Arkyn was inclined to agree, though the man said nothing. Serena looked around and could see for miles, "so you never told me your name", she said casually turning to the man who had freed her only to find he had started to make his way down the hill. The vampiress crossed her arms and huffed before picking up her pace to catch him. Once she had neared him, he spoke.
"I need to retrieve my horse. From there we'll make our way to Morthal to stop for the night". Serana didn't argue with his decision. After all, not only had he agreed to take her to her home, the man had let her feed from him. She also didn't really like the idea of traveling in broad daylight until her strength had returned. Whoever he really was didn't really matter, she guessed.
Both the walk and subsequently the ride to Morthal had went quietly. Serana sat atop Frost as her hooded savior lead the steed. All the while her eyes remained fixated on his back side until dim light had come into view from their destination.
Arkyn wasted no time making his way to Moorside Inn. Serana had pulled a hood over her head to somewhat hide her face. Inside the Inn was all but deserted. The only people inside seemed to be a Red guard woman behind a bar, who was watching both figures with narrowed eyes, and an Orc sitting alone at table with his back to them. Arkyn grinned behind his cowl.
"Welcome, let me know if there's anything I can get for you". The woman spoke with hesitation. Serana found a chair to sit in at the back of the Inn. Arkyn approached the bar and dropped a coin purse onto the table. The coin inside clinked as it settled.
"I need the big room for the night Jonna", he said quietly. Jonna starred for a moment before recognition crossed her face of the hooded man in front of her.
"Its good to see you-". She was interrupted by Arkyn who held up his left hand and continued to speak softly.
"No one needs to know I'm here Jonna". The woman looked behind him to the company he had brought in with him and looked back at him with a smirk and eyebrows raised. "Well its good to see you're getting back out there", she said, equally as soft.
Arkyns eyes widen as he took a moment to understand her implication before chuckling. Serana listened closely from her seat after the Red guard had so blatantly looked her way.
"No Jonna", Arkyn said regaining his composure. "Its not like that. Just doing a favor". The bartender snatched the coin from the counter playfully before crossing her arms and giggling.
"Whatever you say", she said coyly. "The rooms yours for the night, but I can't accept this much for it". Arkyn had already motioned Serana to follow him without acknowledging the Red guards words. The bartender watched him and shook her head while smiling to himself.
Inside the room Arkyn had unlatched his swords and laid them on the long table as well as the crossbow he'd so far been unsuccessful with. The rest of his gear he laid next to the bed after Serana had declined his offer to have it for the night. She had spent enough time asleep had been her response.
The vampiress watched the man as he lied down in the bed. He had kept everything on. From his boots to the cowl hiding his face.
Neither of the two had spoken a word about anything but who was going to get the bed for the night. So to keep her mind occupied, Serana looked around the room for something to do. A voice from behind her had startled the vampiress. The voice had come from the man. "What was that?", she asked, trying to regain her composure.
"How long where you locked away", his eyes remaining closed. The question had been simple, but honestly Serana hadn't even thought about it until now.
"That's a good question actually", she said with a sigh and taking a book that had been lying on a dresser near the bed and taking a seat. "Its… hard to say. I can't really tell. I feel like it was a long time. Who is Skyrim's High King?".
The Dragonborns eyes flicked open at the question, brief moments of more painful memories flashing through his mind. "Elisif the fair in Solitude", he said solemnly. Serena's brows furrowed.
"I don't know that name. You say she's in Solitude? Who supports her?". Arkyn sighed and shifted his gaze to meet hers. She couldn't help but notice that now his eyes were a calm icy blue. "The Empire", he said bluntly.
Serena's face contorted in confusion. "Empire? What Empire?" Arkyn sat up on his left arm, rolling his body towards the vampiress.
"The… Empire. From Cyrodiil?".
Serana searched the mans eyes for more of an explanation but found none. "Cyrodiil is the seat of an Empire? I must have been gone longer than I thought. Definitely longer than we planned". Serana sat back in her chair rubbing her temple. Arkyn rolled back over on the bed, Serana watching him. Something underneath his armor had caught her attention.
When she realized what it was she almost grinned to herself. Silver daggers. The gleam of silver was unmistakable, in the low light of the room. She looked table where his swords lay. He had definitely come prepared for a fight. She looked back over at the man who laid motionless save for the rhythmic pattern of his breathing. She could hear his heart beating. Strange, she thought to herself. Its beat hadn't slowed at all.
She stood to inspect the swords that lay unattended, picking one up. The rune carvings were extremely intricate. The sword itself was big, and unusually heavy for a one-handed weapon. The blade itself even shimmered when candle light hit it just right. "Of course they're enchanted", she said to herself softly.
"They're quicksilver if you were wondering", this time the sound of his voice hadn't startled her.
"I knew you weren't asleep yet". She said with a grin, still looking over the sword.
Arkyn said nothing in response, only smirked to himself under his cowl with his eyes still closed. The trip into Haafingar would be a long one. Arkyn had decided he would leave Frost here at the Inn with Jonna. After all, another pouch full of coin would sweeten the deal for her.