Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim.
-2nd of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
Rahgol and Lydia walked across the icy fields, the harsh winds biting at their skin but due to them being Nords they were resistant to the cold, well Rahgol was half Nord and half Dragon, so he assumed the latter was probably resisting the harsh cold affecting him. After a bit of traveling, the wind began to spike up. It was getting harder and harder to see too, because the wind carried the snow from the land towards them.
After hours of wandering around, they finally found a wooden door in a small iceberg. "Does someone live here?" Lydia asked but Rahgol shrugged.
"I think so. It's probably that Septimus guy, because only an insane man would want to live here." Rahgol pushed the door open and they crawled inside. They arrived in a cave system with a very big room at the end. They descended down the path and saw an Alchemy table, a closet and a chair. There was an old man in Mage robes looking at large cube like building, made from Dwemer metal. Rahgol walked towards him.
"Dig, Dwemer in the beyond. I'll know your lost unknown and rise to your depths." The man said, causing Rahgol to raise an eyebrow.
"I heard you know of the Elder Scrolls." Rahgol said, narrowing his eyes.
"The Empire. They absconded with them. Or so they think. The ones they saw. The ones they thought they saw. I know of one. Forgotten. Sequestered. But I cannot go to it, not poor Septimus, for I... I have arisen beyond its grasp."
'This guy is nuts.' Rahgol thought as he shared a look with Lydia, her expression clearly saying she was thinking the same opinion of this guy.
"I know of one. Forgotten, sequestered. But I cannot go to it. Oh, not poor Septimus. For I… I have arisen beyond its grasp." Septimus continued. Rahgol narrowed his eyes at his words.
"Where is the Scroll?" He asked with annoyance at this crazy talk.
"Here. Well, here as in this plane, Mundus, Tamriel. Nearby, relatively speaking hahahaha."
Rahgol grabbed him by the scruff of his robes and glared at him, growling. "look asshole, I don't have time for your weird bullshit talk. Tell me where the Scroll is in Skyrim or I'll make you tell me."
"Oh, a brutish one. Septimus has no fear for you ha! But as one block raises another, perhaps ourselves could help us each."
"I don't care what you want, I-"
The man pointed at the cube."You see this masterwork of the Dwemer? Deep inside their greatest knowings. Septimus is clever among men, but he is mere an idiotic child compared to the dullest of the Dwemer. Lucky then they left behind their own way of reading the Elder Scrolls. In the depths of Blackreach one yet lies. Have you heard of Blackreach? Cast upon where Dwemer cities slept, the yearning spire hidden learnings kept."
"Where is this "Blackreach"?"
"Under deep. Below the dark. The hidden keep. Tower Mzark. Alftand. The point of puncture, of first entry, of the tapping. Delve to its limits, and Blackreach lies just beyond. But not all can enter there. Only Septimus knows the hidden key to loose the lock to jump beneath the deathly rock."
"How do I get in?" Rahgol asked, getting more annoyed but at least he knows where the Elder Scroll is located...deep within a Dwarven ruin.
"Two things I have for you. Two shapes. One edged, one round. The round one, for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle, and needed to open their cleverest gates. The edged lexicon, for inscribing. To us, a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings. But... empty. Find Mzark and its sky-dome. The machinations there will read the Scroll and lay the lore upon the cube. Trust Septimus. He knows you can know."
"What do I do with this sphere?"
"The deepest doors of Dwemer listen for singing. It plays the attitude of notes proper for opening. Can you not hear it? Too low for hearings?"
"What do I do with this cube?"
"To glimpse the world inside an Elder Scroll can damage the eyes. Or the mind, as it has to Septimus. The Dwemer found a loophole, as they always do. To focus the knowledge away and inside without harm. Place the lexicon into their contraption and focus the knowings into it. When it brims with glow, bring it back and Septimus can read once more."
Rahgol released the man and turned to leave when the man spoke again.
"My lord told me, you know. I have devoted my life to the Elder Scrolls, but their knowledge is a passing awareness when compared to the encompassing mind of divinity. The Dwemer were the last to touch it. I thought it was destroyed by the Nerevarine, but my lord told me otherwise."
"Your Lord?" Lydia asked with a frown.
"The Daedric Prince of the unknown. Hermaeus Mora. I thought there were no secrets left to know. Until I first spoke to him. He asks a price, to work his will. A few murders, some dissent spread, a plague or two. For the secrets I can endure. In time, he brought me here. To the box. But he won't reveal how to open it. Maddening."
Rahgol rolled his eyes and walked on, Lydia rushing to catch up with him when suddenly green tentacles and a very big and ugly eye appeared in front of him, causing Rahgol to pause and narrow his eyes.
"Come closer, bask in my presence." The tentacle thing said calmly in a masculine voice.
"Hermaeus Mora I presume?" Rahgol asked with a bit of annoyance, having dealt with other Daedric Princes before.
"Very perceptive you are. I am indeed Hermaeus Mora. I am the guardian of the unseen, and knower of the unknown. I have been watching you, mortal. Most impressive."
'Yeah yeah, every fucking Daedric Prince in Oblivion has been 'watching me'.' Rahgol thought with irritation at how his life seems to be a game to the Daedric Princes, with three of them wanting to fuck his brains out. "Just like every other Daedric Prince I come across. You've all been watching me don't you?"
A chuckle was the response. "All of the Daedric Princes know of you. Your actions in Tamriel have not gone… unnoticed. Some of them have a very keen hatred for you."
"I don't really care if Molag Bal and Mehrunes Dagon despise me and want me dead."
"Others however...are very fond of you."
"What do you want?" Rahgol asked impatiently, deciding to get this over with so he can continue on his way.
Your continuing aid to Septimus renders him increasingly obsolete. He has served me well, but his time is nearing its end. Once that infernal lockbox is opened, he will have exhausted his usefulness to me. When that time comes, you shall take his place as my emissary. What say you?"
"I serve no one. Now bugger off." Rahgol said, glaring until the mass disappeared. Rahgol shook his head, hating how the princes seem to enjoy entering his life and either wanting to 'change' it or just kill him.
-3rd of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
As Rahgol and Lydia made it back to near the College of Winterhold, they were stopped by a Courier. "I've been looking for you. Got something i'm supposed to deliver, your hands only." He said before looking through his bag. "Let's see here..." He pulled out an envelope. "A letter from Kodlak Whitemane of the Companions. Look's like that's it. Got to go."
"Kodlak...what does he want?" Rahgol asked, as he opened the envelope. He hasn't seen the old man since quitting the Companions because of Skjor and his refusal to take no for an answer when it comes to becoming a Werewolf. He opened the letter and read it.
Rahgol, I'm sorry for giving you all this trouble with Skjor, but I need your help right now. Please come whenever you have time.
Rahgol was in a debate now. He didn't want anything to halt his progress in finding the Elder Scroll and stopping Alduin, but he didn't want to ignore Kodlak's summons. The man clearly wanted to speak with him for some reason and Rahgol would do it out of respect...then there's looking for the Elder Scroll.
"Rahgol, only look for the Elder Scroll when you feel ready for it." Lydia said, getting a nod from the Dragonborn. "You can't do everything quickly."
"Your right." Rahgol sighed as he rubbed his forehead, trying to think of what to do.
"Hey, I'll go to Blackreach and find the Scroll for you." Lydia suggested helpfully, causing Rahgol to look at her.
"Really?" Lydia nodded.
"Yes. You can handle whatever it is the Companions need you for, and I'll go to Blackreach. I always wanted to explore a Dwemer ruin." She said with a grin that made Rahgol chuckle and shake his head.
"Thanks Lydia."
"Anytime, Rahgol."
-11th of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
As Rahgol arrived in Whiterun, his thoughts went back to what Paarthurnax told him about him and Alduin, being two sides of the same coin, their destined intertwined with each other. Maybe he was telling the truth, there is a prophecy about the two of them after all but their fates are to battle for the fate of the whole world.
'Alduin...the most beautiful female creature I have ever met.' Rahgol said with a smile. 'She looks so fierce and prideful. Her shining black scales, her golden yellow eyes that turn red when she's going to fight, her powerful, yet slim body. She's sexy… Dammit, I must really have it bad for her. But it's not like she'd EVER go with a mortal like me.'
Rahgol shook his head to clear those thoughts for another time to think on as he entered Whiterun. The city was as busy as ever. Merchants were all over the place, trying to sell their stuff. Some of the people here cast Rahgol a greeting, while others were more busy with yelling at each other for going before their turn. After a small walk, he arrived at Jorrvaskr. When he opened the door, everyone in the hall shifted their gaze at him.
He saw mixed emotions on their faces. Some, like Farkas and Vilkas, were glad to see Rahgol. Others, like Torvar, didn't really mind if he was here or not. He saw Aela giving him a sorrowful look.
"Hello Rahgol, it's been awhile." Vilkas said, approaching him.
"That it has, Vilkas. Where's Skjor?" Rahgol asked, not seeing the man around. He then saw pained looks on the faces of the Companions, especially Aela's.
After some silence, Aela spoke up, shedding a tear as she did. "Skjor is dead…"
Rahgol was surprised at this but he didn't feel as much shock or anything, especially since he didn't know Skjor that well, wouldn't call him a friend, especially after what happened the last time they saw each other.
"He was angry at you, and we tried to calm him down. Eventually, he told us that he was going to hunt some Silver Hand. We followed after him, and in one of their hideouts," Aela paused, before continuing. "we found his corpse. He's already cremated… He had a note with him, which told about how stupid he found himself for being angry at your decision. Deep down, he respected it."
Rahgol was silent before his expression went cold, which was his way of masking his emotions and how he feels. "Kodlak sent me a letter. I need to speak with him."
Vilkas nodded. "Go then, Rahgol."
Rahgol nodded and walked downstairs. At the end of the hall, he saw Kodlak sitting in his chair, thinking things through. When he spotted him, he gave a smile.
"Ah, you came." He said. Rahgol nodded as he sat across from the old man.
"You wanted to see me." Rahgol said, getting a nod from him.
"I need your help, Rahgol." Kodlak said, getting Rahgol's full attention. "Have you heard the story of how we became Werewolves?"
"Was it not a curse?" Rahgol asked with a frown.
Kodlak nodded."The reality is more complicated than that. The Companions are nearly five thousand years old. This matter of Beastblood has only troubled us for a few hundred. One of my predecessors was a good but short-sighted man. He made a bargain with the Witches of Glenmoril Coven. If the companions would hunt in the name of their lord, Hircine, we would be granted great power."
"And you became Werewolves?" Rahgol said. Kodlak nodded.
"They did not believe that the change would be permanent. The Witches offered payment, like anyone else. But we had been deceived."
"Then you want the Witches killed for what they did?" Rahgol asked, eyebrow raised.
"We'll get to that. It's not so simple as just killing them, though. The disease, you see, affects not just our bodies. It seeps into the spirit. Upon death, werewolves are claimed by Hircine for his Hunting Grounds. For some, this is a paradise. They want nothing more than to chase prey with their master for eternity. And that is their choice. But I am still a true Nord. And I wish for Sovngarde as my spirit home."
"Is there a way to cure yourself?" Rahgol asked.
"That's what I've spent my twilight years trying to find out. And now I've found the answer. The witches' magic ensnared us, and only their magic can release us. They won't give it willingly, but we can extract their foul powers by force. I want you to seek them out. Go to their coven in the wilderness. Strike them down as a true warrior of the wild. And bring me their heads. The seat of their abilities. From there, we may begin to undue centuries of impurity." Kodlak said.
Rahgol nodded and stood to leave. "I'll kill them all."
-15th of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
Rahgol arrived at the cave of the Witches and rolled his neck and shoulders before he entered, unsheathing Dawnbreaker as he did so. It was a dark cave, but there was a bowl with fire standing on some pillars every now and then. When he arrived in the center of the cave, Rahgol was immediately greeted by five Hagravens with blood red eyes.
"So a fresh Companion arrives at our den." One of them said in a hoarse voice.
"I'm here to take your heads." Rahgol said.
"You won't leave this cave alive. We know you, Rahgol Dinok Krosis. Our fortunetelling says that you'll be on the brink of death soon. I'm sure it is about this confrontation." The five of them gave an evil smirk, while Rahgol just smirked back.
"I've been at death's door many times...and I'm still here." Rahgol said before he shouted. "WULD NAH KEST!"
He appeared before one of the Witches and decapitated her as the other Witches disappeared to who knows where within the cave. Rahgol picked up the head and considered leaving right now...but he did say he would kill them all.
So Rahgol did just that, went to different spots within the cave and encountered one of the Witches, who he killed. He either decapitated them or impaled them through their hearts and violently ripped his sword out to make sure they were dead for good. Once he was done, Rahgol cleaned his blade of the Witches blood and picked up the heads before stuffing them into a bag and walked out of the cave.
-19th of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
When Rahgol arrived back in Whiterun, he noticed something was off. The town was in an uproar. Stalls were destroyed, corpses of Silver Hand were all over the place and worst of all, he saw people with shocked expressions, as if someone important here died. Rahgol quickly rushed towards Jorrvaskr, and immediately Torvar ran up to him, who was all bloodied. Rahgol didn't even have to ask what happened.
"The Silver Hand… They finally had the nerve to attack Jorrvaskr. We got most of them, but I think a few stragglers made it out." Rahgol walked further until he came across Vilkas. Suddenly he raised his greatsword and began to attack him!
"Vilkas, what the fuck!" Rahgol yelled, while raising Dawnbreaker and blocking a powerful strike.
"Where have you been?!" Vilkas shouted with rage.
"I was doing Kodlak's bidding!" Rahgol yelled, while dodging another attack.
"I hope it was important, because you weren't here to defend him!" He stopped attacking, while collapsing to the ground. He was crying. "The Silver Hand, they finally found enough courage to attack Jorrvaskr, and Whiterun along the way. We fought them off… but, the old man, Kodlak, is dead."
Rahgol was speechless and shocked before he clenched his fists and pulled Vilkas to his feet. "Was anyone else hurt?"
Vilkas shook his head."No, but they made off with all of our fragments of Wuuthrad." Vilka then got a determined glare on his face. "But we are going to reclaim them! We will bring the battle to their chief camp. There will be none left living to tell their stories. Only songs of Jorrvaskr will be sung. We will avenge Kodlak… And they will know terror before the end."
Rahgol nodded, feeling ready to slaughter some people right now.
"Let's get the horses ready."
-22th of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
They arrived at the base of the Silver Hand called Driftshade Refuge. Immediately they were attacked by an archer but Rahgol shot an arrow back which hit and killed the Silver Hand. Rahgol and Vilkas entered the Refuge but Vilkas ran on ahead, despite Rahgol's shouts for him to stop. Rahgol shook his head, knowing Vilkas was consumed with rage and grief and wanted to slaughter all of the Silver Hand.
Rahgol walked on, killing any hidden Silver Hand that Vilkas missed in his rage. Eventually, he caught up with Vilkas who had the fragments of Wuuthrad, but it seemed he also had annihilated all of the members.
"Kodlak deserved justice." Vilkas said firmly, justifying his actions.
"And he has gotten it." Rahgol muttered as he looked around before looking at Vilkas. "Let's get back to Whiterun and prepare for Kodlak's funeral."
-25th of the Second Seed, 4th Era 202-
Arriving in Whiterun, Rahgol and Vilkas made their way to the Skyforge where Kodlak's funeral was to be held. When they got there, Rahgol saw several people there, not just the Companions.
"Who will start?" Eorlund asked, who seemed to act like the priest.
"I'll do it." Aela said quietly. "Before the ancient flame. We grieve. At this loss, we weep. For the fallen, we shout. And for ourselves. We take our leave." The other Companion members repeated her, while shedding a few tears. Rahgol refused to let any tears fall, but deep down he was hurting from Kodlak's death. Aela stood in front of him, holding a unlit torch.
"Kodlak always told us that when he was going to be cremated, it was with your fire." She said. Rahgol nodded and took the torch.
"Yol." He whispered softly and a small bit of fire came out of his mouth and lit the torch before Rahgol walked forward and set the pyre on fire. Everyone watched as Kodlak was burned and cremated, all grieving. Rahgol closed his eyes, knowing Kodlak's wish to go to Sovngarde would never come true for the old man.
"His spirit has departed. Members of the Circle, let's withdraw to the Underforge, to grieve our loss together." Rahgol, Aela, Vilkas and Farkas walked towards the Underforge. Suddenly he got stopped by Eorlund.
"I have a small favor to ask of you. There's another piece of Wuuthrad, that Kodlak always kept close to himself. Would you go to his chambers and bring it back to me?"
Rahgol nodded. "I will." He then walked towards the sleeping hall of Jorrvaskr. He came to kodlak's chambers and found the piece Eorlund needed, ut he also found Kodlak's journal and couldn't help but read it. His eyes widened when he found out that there was still a way for Kodlak to be cursed, even though he was dead.
Rahgol went back to Eorlund and gave him the fragment of Wuuthrad before he joined Aela, Farkas, and Vilkas in the Underforge. Last time he was here was when he refused to become a Werewolf. As Rahgol entered, he heard arguing.
"The old man had one wish before he died, and he didn't get it. It's as simple as that." Vilkas said.
Being moon-born is not so much of a curse as you might think, Vilkas." Aela retorted.
"That's fine for you, but he wanted to be clean. He wanted to meet Ysgramor and know the glories of Sovngarde. But all that was taken from him." Vilkas said.
"And you've avenged him." Aela said.
"Kodlak did not care about vengeance." Farkas said.
"No, Farkas, he didn't. But that's not what this is about. We should be honoring Kodlak, no matter our own thoughts on the blood." Vilkas stated.
"You're right. It's what he wanted and he deserves to have it." Aela sighed, lowering her head.
Rahgol then spoke up. "Kodlak can still be cured." This caused all of them to look at him. "A way to cleanse his soul of the Wolf. We must go to the Tomb of Ysgramor. There, we can cleanse him of his beastblood by doing a ritual with one of the Glenmoril Witches' heads."
"We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years." Aela said, and behind Rahgol, Eorlund arrived.
"And Dragons were just stories. And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be." He walked towards them with Wuuthrad behind his back. "The blade is a weapon, a tool. Tools are meant to be broken, and repaired. This is the first time I had all of the pieces, thanks to our Shield-Brother here." He gestured to Rahgol.
"The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered. The flames of Kodlak shall fuel the rebirth of Wuuthrad. And now it will take you to meet him once more. As the one who brought the fragments, I think Rahgol should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle."
Rahgol shook his head. "No. Vilkas should. I quit the Companions, remember? Vilkas deserves it more than I do."
Vilkas looked surprised, but nodded eventually. He then took the battle-axe from Eorlund.
"Now, we need to go towards the Tomb of Ysgramor, which seems amazingly far north. You guys go...there is something I must finish." Rahgol said, remembering his goal to get the Dragon Priest masks so that he can get the secret one...
So, Rahgol is on the hunt for the Dragon Priest mask known as Konahrik. After he gets that, it's off to cure Kodlak's spirit, then Lydia finally comes back with the Elder Scroll in hand...and you know what that means.