A/N

Hey everyone! As promised, I'm posting two updates to compensate for lost time. The first one is comprised with Skyrim shorts that'd serve as a short backgrounds(?) on what we have so far. These two updates haven't been proofread, so I hope you'd bear with it.

It's also been a while since I last wrote so my writing might be even worse (not that it's good in the first place) so I hope you'd bear with it too. :))

Please leave reviews/comments if there's anything you want to say. I'd love to hear (this case, read) them! Thank you so much for waiting!

The Strange Mortal I

Serana stared curiously at the stranger's back. This stranger happened to be her "savior" back in Dimhollow Crypt – the one who awakened her from her long slumber.

She continuously wondered why this mortal even considered helping her. Sure, she didn't know where to go, which is why she accepted the offered help in the first place but… is there an ulterior motive behind his actions?

The vampiress' eyes narrowed in suspicion. As a matter of fact, she doesn't think so. With the strength and prowess she'd witness earlier at the crypt, he could've just easily slain her given her weakened state and take the Elder Scroll for himself.

He didn't seem to mind showing his back to a total stranger… a vampire at that. To provide directions and walk on ahead – this one seemed awfully confident with their skills in combat to even consider doing this, but with good reason to do so.

Her eyes darted towards the weapons that he carried around – two swords that hung from his back, a bow strung on his body, and a dagger strapped on his waist. He was really heavily armed.

Are all members of the Dawnguard like this?

"It's rude to stare you know."

Serana was startled when the mortal suddenly spoke.

"S-Sorry."

"You were really staring? I was kidding." he said before snickering.

This struck a nerve but Serana tried her best to contain her composure – especially now that she's very thirsty.

"I'm... just… grateful, that you even thought about providing me assistance. But, why would you even go and help me to this extent?"

The man didn't stop walking even as he gave his reply. "Let's just say it's my good deed for the day."

"That's nonsense."

"Why? Because the world you knew has always been cruel and unforgiving?" he asked with a sudden shift of tone. "If you thought about this, then… you're probably right. But shouldn't this be more of a reason to help others in need?"

"But I'm a vampire. Doesn't this bother you?"

The mortal suddenly stopped and partially turned his head to face her. "You're still someone in need, aren't you? It doesn't matter." He carried on walking.

The vampiress couldn't wrap her head around his answer.

Do they really exist? People who would willingly go out of their way just to help someone in need – without discrimination?

Serana smirked to herself. She needs to be ready… for during this travel, she bets that he'll show his true colors – his dark intentions.

Except that there weren't any.

The Strange Mortal II

Dragonbridge.

It was way past midnight and the patrons of the Four-Shields Tavern had started to go home one-by-one. After a while, it was only the two of them left at the table situated at the tavern's corner.

The hearth at the center of the room burned weakly and the building became a whole lot quieter.

Serana rested her head over her hands as she watched Remus sleep across the table. His hood remained over his head, even his mask still obscured his face.

She could never fathom how he could sleep like that all just because he didn't want anyone knowing about his identity.

With a sigh, Serana reminisced how it's only been a few days to a week but so many had already happened: she'd escaped from Castle Volkihar and ended up almost getting killed by the Dawnguard just because she searched for some stranger to ask for help just because her guts told her so.

She'd already visited her first walled city in years back at Riften.

Saw the first dragon she had ever seen through her whole lifetime.

Finally… she discovered that the strange mortal that she'd sought for help was actually the Last Dragonborn.

Is this why he risked his life for her earlier? Because he'd bear the responsibility to protect others the moment he knew who he was?

She poked at the exposed part of his face with her finger.

"I… don't get you…" she muttered.

She doesn't get herself either. Why did she even make him promise that he wouldn't die on her? Was it because of the guilt she felt because she was protected?

Or is it because… she was asking so much more from him?

Her father, Harkon, needs to be stopped. But she wasn't sure if even this special mortal is even capable of doing this.

Harkon is a monster among monsters. Serana knew this. Even before he became a vampire… he wasn't exactly a good person. After all, to attain the gift of blood, he had to sacrifice numerous lives just to get what he wanted.

To get their family what he wanted.

With the pact he has entered with the Lord Molag Bal, he was practically invincible – unkillable.

Could the Dragonborn of Legend stop someone who cannot be killed?

Suddenly, Serana was hit by a pang of guilt – realizing that she was asking too much from a stranger she hardly even knew.

Serana slowly moved the stool she sat on closer to Remus. He didn't seem to mind as she could still hear his light snores from beneath his mask.

"I know… I'm asking you to do the impossible… and… I'm not even sure if I've even thanked your properly for everything so far…" she whispered delicately. "But no matter what happens, should we pull through by the end of it all or not… should you choose to stay until the end… I cannot ask you to give your life up. That's why I had you make that promise, alright?"

She gently held his hand. "I will see that no matter how this story of yours ends… you'll be there to see it. I promise this."

The Fallen Goddess

It was past midnight. Dead Man's Drink. Falkreath.

Rayya curiously watched Lydia gulp down an entire bottle of Nord Mead in one drinking.

"Ahhh." Lydia exhaled as she shot the gaping Rayya a look.

"I've never seen you drink that much before." the redguard sniggered as she carried on with her own drink.

"I want to fall in love, too!" Lydia shouted half-drunk, making the other patrons give them a look – much to Rayya's embarrassment.

"Pipe down!" she scolded. "I'm a regular here! Aren't you even supposed to be back at Lakeview Manor? You didn't answer me earlier!"

Lydia looked at her, eyes a little bit groggy. "You know… there's just… stuff…"

"That doesn't really give me a lot." Rayya laughed. "Ah, to think that an honorable housecarl such as yourself would stoop so low into things such as 'falling in love'. And now you're drinking yourself blind, knowing well that you can't hold your alcohol. You fail me, Lydia."

"Say!" Lydia was quick to grab Rayya's shoulder to grab her attention, not minding whatever she just said, "Have you ever seen anyone so beautiful… that they'd pass of as… a goddess?"

"A goddess? Woman, you're clearly out of your mind!" Rayya chortled as she opened another bottle.

"No! I'm serious!" Lydia slurred, opening another bottle herself and drinking half of it. "This one is even more beautiful than Jarl Elisif the Fair!"

"Elisif? The Elisif? You can't be serious."

"I'm… hic… serious!" the drunk housecarl protested. "You should've seen this one! Black hair… pale, white skin… red, lips… dainty nose… It's like Dibella came down to us in mortal form! A… goddess! What's up with that?!"

"Fine, I'll humor you. Where do we find this woman?"

Lydia went silent giving Rayya the same dazed look.

"I can't say…"

"You're insane."

"Nooo… I really… can't say." Lydia pressed a finger against her lips. "It's… a secret!"

Rayya squinted before chuckling. "You really can't hold your liquor, can you?"

Lydia responded with nothing but a long burp. Suddenly she grabbed Rayya's arm.

"Say Rayya… you'd tell me if you became cozy with a man, won't you?!"

"Seriously? 'Cozy' with a man? Who even puts it like that?" Rayya quickly flipped her hand away. "It's not like I'd be…"

"I know right?! You're definitely not going to fall in love before I do!"

"Wait, that's not what I—"

"Cheers! To an eternal friendship! No one left behind!" Lydia exclaimed as she thrust her bottle of mead forward.

That's… her third one. She's definitely going to pass out.

"Fine. Cheers."

Impatience

"Hm. I forgot about to ask about who this Serana is."

Valdimar carefully paced himself down the stairs as he exited Fort Dawnguard. He looked below, seeing Argis sitting in wait.

The moment the young housecarl saw him, he stood up and walked alongside him towards the stables.

"They're building a place for the refugees to stay." Argis said, breaking the silence.

"Hm. I have to give it to them… at least they've organized their resources properly."

None of them talked as they went near the barricades. Valdimar turned to look at Argis.

"You're a little too quiet. Septim for your thoughts?"

"I didn't know the vampires have been affecting this many people…"

"Small villages around the holds have suffered greatly… the vampires have even been bold enough to even hold raids on the capital cities… take Morthal and Dawnstar for example…"

Argis clenched his fists. "Then what are we even waiting for? You made us brand new armor and we couldn't even use it?! As long as he has our back, we can do it—"

Valdimar howled in laughter interrupting Argis' contention. The young housecarl raised his brow.

"What?"

"No, it's nothing. I just realized that you're the same fool as old Isran – only with different reason."

"What did you say?!"

The old man gave Argis a sharp look. "I'd worry about you losing your temper here, boy. Wouldn't want a crowd watching when I plant you face-first to the ground."

"…Tch."

"Thought so." the old Nord smirked. "Isran believes that the Thane is just someone who was a little stronger and more skillful than the average human… while you think that he's some sort of god."

"Some sort of god…? I wouldn't say a god but..." Argis trembled. "…If you've only seen what I saw then… you too would…"

The old housecarl suddenly placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"I told you that we shouldn't be talking about that anymore."

"…Understood."

Valdimar exhaled. "This vampire threat is no other, Argis. You shouldn't take it lightly. And neither should you think that the Thane could handle is alone. We have to work together."

"Work together? He probably wouldn't even need us!" Argis stopped walking, causing Valdimar to halt in wait. "You know he's a lot different than he was two years ago."

He gritted his teeth. "He's a lot stronger – probably stronger than when he fought the World-Eater. Something in Solstheim changed him. You know this." He pulled on his hair in irritation. "This is why I don't understand… why are we standing here in wait instead of taking the fight to those blood-sucking fiends?"

A short pause. Valdimar understood his frustration, but…

"He wouldn't want to send us to our deaths."

"I'm no fool, Valdimar. What are you even talking about? We'll end up fighting them anyway!"

The old Nord approached Argis, face to face and held him by the collar of his armor.

"Do you want to die a senseless death?! I just told you, do not take this lightly!" he clenched before pushing him back. "Movarth. The ancient vampire that grew his coven in the outskirts of Morthal. The Thane took on the contract to destroy him. I was there."

Valdimar paused. "That vampire almost killed both of us. Movarth was that strong. But if you will compare Movarth to Harkon, the leader of this ancient vampire clan we're dealing with today… Movarth means nothing."

The two continued walking, and Argis was still left with nothing to say.

"Do you know about Potema?"

"The Wolf Queen?"

"Ha!" Valdimar bellowed. "I'm surprised you actually know about her. You reading books?"

"Just carry on, old man."

The old housecarl cleared his throat. "Any resident of Solitude can tell you, Queen of Solitude, granddaughter of Emperor Uriel Septim II, five hundred years ago. Her fight for succession nearly tore the empire apart. After twenty years of fighting, she had raised armies of the dead, led by vampire generals. She was the deadliest person ever to come out of Skyrim… until now."

Argis shuddered. "So, you're saying…"

"Her resurrection might've been stopped… but Skyrim might be hit by an equally potent disaster… not just Skyrim… but all of Tamriel." He sighed. "We're not storming some damp cave like what we did with Movarth either… we're storming a castle. A castle guarded with monsters stronger than the average human and maybe… scores of undead."

The old man pressed his nose bridge. "This is only an assumption… Dawnguard scout reports say that we may be hit with something much worse.

The young housecarl was suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of hopelessness. "What do we do…?"

Valdimar could only give him a sneer. "That's why we're coming up with a plan. Do not be impatient."

The old Nord looked up to the sky. "I'm sure he's not idling either."

You know… maybe I should pay him a visit one of these days.