Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim
-11th of Mid Year, 4th Era 202-
Rahgol, dressed in new gear and now wearing the Konahrik Dragon Priest mask, arrived at the Tomb of Ysgamor. It had taken him a while but he had finally been able to get the masks and brought them to the Dragon Alter to be placed upon them and in return he was given the tenth mask, which he now wore along with a full set of Daedric armour as he had a little...run in with some Dremora sent by Mehrunes Dagon, so he took their hearts, found some Ebony Ingots among other things and forged himself a set of Daedric armour, sword, and shield.
His Dragonbone armour was left back in his chest in his home in Whiterun, which was why he was delayed a bit.
He entered the tomb and found Aela, Farkas, and Vilkas who noticed him coming and tensed. "Guys, it's me." he took off the mask to reveal his face, causing the to relax.
"You've finally arrived." Vilkas said with a smile. Rahgol nodded. "This is the resting place of Ysgramor. And his most trusted generals. You should be cautious."
Rahgol frowned at him. "You aren't coming?"
Vilkas sighed. "Kodlak was right… I let my vengeance rule my heart. I regret nothing of what I did at Driftshade. But I can't go any further with my mind fogged or my heart grieved."
Rahgol hummed before he grabbed one of the Glenmoril Witches' heads and gave it to Vilkas. "If you change your mind and want to be free of the Werewolf blood...there's your chance." Vilkas took it, nodding gratefully, "What should we expect to face in here?"
"The original Companions. Their finest warriors rest with Ysgramor. You'll have to prove yourselves to them. It's not that you're intruding. I'd wager they've actually expected us. They just want to be sure that you're worthy. Be ready for an honorable battle."
Rahgol smirked at that. He does so enjoy a challenge. But then he noticed three entrances with a stone in front of it. One to the left, one in the middle and one to the right. "How do we enter?"
"Return Wuuthrad to Ysgramor… It should open the way." Vilkas looked at the rest. "Ready?" The two nodded. Vilkas then placed the weapon in the arms of the Ysgramor statue in front of them, and the middle entrance opened. Aela and Farkas went first, with Rahgol walking behind them. They were quickly attacked by two ghosts.
Rahgol stabbed his Daedric sword through one's neck, then threw the sword into the face of another ghost which took care of him. Rahgol blocked an attack from another ghost with his shield and shiled bashed the ghost, allowing Farkas to run up and swing his Greatsword which decapitated the ghost. Rahgol grabbed his Daedric sword and looked around before walking on, Farkas and Aela beside him.
They arrived in another chamber full of ghosts but it was nothing they couldn't handle. They were presented with a challenge that they enjoyed for the thrill of fighting. Once they were done, Farkas spoke up.
"I can't go on." This caused Rahgol and Aela to look at him with confusion. "Ever since Dustman's Cairn, the big crawly ones have been too much for me. Everyone has his weakness, and this one's mine. I'm not proud, but I'll stay back with Vilkas. Give my regards to Ysgramor." Rahgol nodded, while giving him another Glenmoril Witch head.
Aela and Rahgol continued onwards, engaging more ghosts in battle and killing them and then moving onto the next room. They even took on Spiders in one of the rooms but it was nothing they cou;dn't handle, though Rahgol made a joke on Farkas making the right call to stay behind, which made Aela chuckle.
Aela pulled a handle, which opened a passageway to another room, a larger room. After defeating the ghosts there, they came into another room with a blue flame in the middle. Rahgol saw the ghost of Kodlak standing behind the flame, smiling at them.
"Kodlak?" Rahgol asked in disbelief.
"Yes, my fellow Harbingers and I have been warming ourselves here. Trying to evade Hircine." Kodlak said, causing Rahgol to look around.
"There's just you." Rahgol said.
Kodlak chuckled. "You see only me, because your heart knows only me as the Companions leader. I'd wager old Vignar could see half a dozen of my predecessors. And I see them all. The ones in Sovngarde. The ones trapped with me in Hircine's realm. And they all see you. You've brought honor to the name of the Companions. We won't soon forget it."
"You can still be cured, right?" Kodlak sighed.
"I can only hope. You still have the witches' heads? Excellent! Throw one of them into the fire. It will release their magic, for me at least. Their magic reacts with the souls of Werewolves, letting the beast out." Rahgol nodded. Suddenly Vilkas and Farkas arrived.
"We want to be cured." They said. Rahgol looked at Aela who shook her head.
"I want to join Skjor in Hircine's realm." She said.
Rahgol nodded before handing her a Witch head in case she ever changes her mind. Rahgol then instructed Varkas and Vilkas to toss their Witch heads into the fire, which they did so, then Rahgol threw the one for Kodlak into the fire. Kodlak's spirit, Farkas, and Vilkas all grimaced and groaned before wolf spirits came out of them.
Rahgol took on Kodlak's wolf spirit and almost got his head bitten off but he wrapped his arms around it's neck, despite it being a spirit, and tisted it's head which killed it. He looked to see Farkas and Vilkas kill their own wolf spirits, curing them for good. Kodlak then spoke to them.
"You've slain the beast inside me. I thank you for this gift. The other Harbingers remain trapped by Hircine, though. Perhaps from Sovngarde, the heroes of old can join me in their rescue. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It will be a battle of such triumph. And perhaps someday, you'll join us in that battle. But for today, return to Jorrvaskr. Triumph in your victory. And lead the Companions to further glory." That said, Kodlak disappeared.
"Did I hear it right? Did he say you were to lead the Companions?" Aela asked in shock. Rahgol nodded.
"Does this upset you? I can understand that, because your were a Companion for much longer." Aela shook her head with a smile.
"I'm just surprised, but your strength and honor are apparent to all. And it's my honor to be the first to address you as Harbinger." Rahgol looked at Vilkas and Farkas.
"I think you would be the best Companion anyway." Farkas said. Rahgol laughed.
"Let's go tell the others of this." Vilkas said but Rahgol shook his head.
"I cannot." Rahgol said, causing them all to look at him. "Lydia, who I sent on a mission, had contacted me by note to inform me she had what I was looking for. An Elder Scroll." This shocked the three Companions. "It's what I need to learn how to defeat Alduin...I'll be going to do that right now after I grab the scroll."
They nodded in understanding. "Good luck." Aela said, getting a nod from Rahgol.
-17th of Mid Year, 4th Era 202-
When he arrived at Ivarstead, Lydia was already there, waiting for him. As soon as she saw him, she walked over with the Elder Scroll in hand. "You have NO idea what getting this was like in that shithole ruin." Lydia said with a huff, causing Rahgol to laugh as he took the scroll and looked it over before he hugged Lydia who hugged back. "I guess this means it's time?"
"Yes." Rahgol nodded as he stepped back from the hug, looking up at the mountain. "It was always going to lead to this. Whatever I see in the Scroll...it'll tell me what was used to defeat Alduin at the end of the Dragon War."
Lydia nodded. "Well, let's hope this can be all over soon. I've been hearing from townsfolk about a Vampire problem." This got Rahgol's interest as he looked at her. "Apparently Vampires are popping up a lot lately, and because of this a Vampire-slaying group was brought back. They call themselves the Dawnguard."
"Hmm." Rahgol hummed, that might be something to look into after he deals with Alduin. He looked up at the top of the mountain, feeling nervous of confronting Alduin, knowing this time it'll be a fight between them instead of a chat.
"Good luck." Lydia said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks." Rahgol nodded before he walked on and started the climb up the stairs while Lydia went home with a heavy heart, knowing this was his fight and his alone.
Arriving at the Throat of the World, Rahgol saw Paarthurnax waiting for him. Rahgol knew this was it. After all the months of travelling, fighting, looking for Word Walls to grow more stronger and powerful enough to match Alduin. It all finally comes to this one moment.
"You have it… the Kel… the Elder Scroll… Tiid kreh… qalos. Time shudders at its touch. There is no question. You are doom-driven. Kogaan Akatosh. The very bones of the earth are at your disposal. Go then, fulfill your destiny. Take the Scroll to the Time-Wound. Do not delay, Alduin will be coming. She cannot miss the signs."
Rahgol nodded then went towards the place that felt different. It was a weird feeling that he couldn't describe. He stood in the middle of it, looking at Paarthurnax.
"See you in a bit." He took a deep breath then opened the scroll. "Here we go..."
-An ancient date, an ancient Era…-
Rahgol opened his eyes to find himself at the top of the mountain still, but it was entriely different. The Word Wall wasn't broken, Dragons were flying about, and there were several corpses of Dragons on the mountain. Suddenly Rahgol saw an Atmoran warrior running up the hill towards the center.
"Gormlaith! We're running out of time! The battle…" He said. Suddenly a lesser Dragon landed in front of the man.
"Daar sul thur se Alduin vokrii. Today Alduin's lordship will be restored. But I honor your courage. Krif voth ahkrin. Die now, in vain." A fierce battle took place, the man swinging his axe at the Dragon, who tried to kill him with snapping jaws and a Fire Breath Shout. The man was losing the battle, but suddenly a woman appeared, slashing her sword against the Dragon's snout that made him roar in pain. She then climbed on his head.
"Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death!" She yelled, while piercing her sword through his skull. The Dragon fell down, dead. The male and female began to walk towards the Word Wall.
"Hakon, a glorious day is it not!?" The woman smirked.
"Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?" Hakon asked, looking tense.
"Haha, what else is there?!" That woman is so full of courage.
"The battle below goes ill. If Alduin does not rise to our challenge, I fear all may be lost."
"You worry too much brother. Victory will be ours." Gormlaith told him. An old man with an Elder Scroll behind his back walked towards the two. Hakon looked at him, and spoke.
"Why does Alduin hang back? We've staked everything on this plan of yours old man." The old man began to speak.
"She will come. She cannot ignore our defiance. And why should she fear us, even now?" Gormlaith began to speak.
"We've bloodied her well. Four of her kin have fallen to my blade alone this day." The old frowned.
"But none have yet stood against Alduin himself. Galthor, Sorri, Birkir." Still, Gormlaith looked confident.
"They did not have Dragonrend. Once we bring her down, I promise I will have her head." Gormlaith smirked.
"You do not understand. Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser Dragon. She is beyond our strength. You can know, you couldn't even best Odahviing, her right wing after Paarthurnax defected."
"Which is why I have brought the Elder Scroll." The other two looked shocked, but that shock soon became anger, especially from the male.
"Felldir! We agreed not to use it!" Hakon yelled.
"I never agreed, and if you are right, I will not need it." Felldir stated.
"No, we will deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now." Hakon said, while looking at a black Dragoness, who was approaching fast.
"We shall see soon enough. Alduin approaches!" Alduin landed on top of the World Wall.
"Meyye! Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah liiv! Zu'u hin daan!" She roared angrily. Rahgol was mesmerised by her voice, it was so beautiful to hear, even when she was angry and full of her rage. He loved her appearance as well, it was an entrancing sight for any male.
"Let those that watch from Sovngarde envy us this day!" Gormlaith cried. Alduin growled.
"I've grown tired of you joorre. I will slaughter you like the monkeys you are. STRUN VILD YEM!" She roared and suddenly meteors fell down the sky.
"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Alduin just flew up, but she was hit by a bluish energy. She looked shocked. It looked like she was stripped from her powers of flight and Thu'um. She landed on the ground. Joor zah frul…
"Nivahriin joorre! What twisted words have you created?! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first, dir ko maar. You will die in terror, knowing your final fate…" She looks so angry, so hateful. As if her mind was hit deep by the revelation. Rahgol was certain he saw a tear. "To feed my power when I come for you in Sovngarde!"
The three ancient Nords began to attack Alduin.
"If I die today, it will not be in terror!" Gormlaith yelled, while attacking her. However, her weapon just bounced of Alduin's skin. "You feel fear for the first time, worm. I see it in your eyes!" Alduin was boiling.
"You do not have any idea about how I feel…" She swiped her wings at Felldir and Hakon, hitting them away. She looked at Gormlaith, as if she was food. With amazing speed, she bit down hard on her. With the sounds of crushed bone, Gormlaith was thrown from the Monahven.
"No, damn you!" Hakon roared, while slashing at her in blind rage. His axe managed to draw blood, but Alduin wasn't bothered in the least. Rahgol saw the Shout power dying down and suddenly she swiped her talons at him, creating a sharp blade of air. Hakon got hit and fell to the ground.
"Your efforts are futile. I'm beyond your petty power." Alduin said without emotion.
"It's no use! Use the Scroll Felldir! NOW!" Harkon stood up again, while Felldir began to speak with an open Scroll.
"Hold, Alduin of the wing! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World Eater! By words with older bones than your own we break your perch on this age and send you out! You are banished! Alduin, we Shout you out from all our endings unto the last!" Weird energy appeared around Alduin.
"Faal Kel?!…" With that, Alduin disappeared which shocked Rahgol. She just disappeared... Rahgol saw a bloody Hakon lying on the ground. Felldir walked towards him.
"It worked, you did it." Hakon said.
"Yes, the World-Eater is gone. May the spirits have mercy on our souls." Everything went white again.
-17th of Mid Year, 4th Era 202-
Rahgol stumbled back and shook his head to clear the sight he saw away from his eyes. Rahgol then felt a familiar presence and looked up to see a familiar black Dragoness hovering in the air. It was all silent, save for the wind and flapping of wings as Alduin stared down at the Dragonborn with a blank gaze.
"So...we finally have our battle." She said calmly.
"Lost funt, you are too late Alduin! The Dovahkiin has your weakness!" Paarthurnax shouted at his sister but Alduin snorted.
"Paarthurnax… You've betrayed me, insulted our race by teaching mortals how to use the Thu'um… I should kill you right now where you stand… Besides, I already know what Rahgol has. Dragonrend won't save him. Nothing will, no matter how much you've taught him" Alduin looked at Rahgol, smirking. "I told you that it would come down to this, little Rahgol. You may have grown stronger...but you are not as strong as me."
"Alduin...I don't want to fight you." Rahgol said softly. He couldn't fight the woman he loved.
Alduin scoffed lightly. "Growing soft on me? How sweet. But our conversations were just civil ones, nothing else. Your view on me has changed, has it not? I told you what my rule was like...but you mortals couldn't live with that. Whatever feelings you have...they matter not in battle."
Rahgol sighed as he gripped his sword in hand when Paarthurnax spoke up.
"Even after all this time...you still fool yourself, sister." he said, getting Alduin's attention on him. "I can see what you really mean...what you really want to say to him."
Alduin growled. "The only thing I want...IS YOUR DEATHS!"
And with that, the fight between Mortal and Goddess began...
Well shit, we've finally arrived at one of the big fights. Of course it ain't the final fight in the afterlife, that's a whole different kind of fight. Rahgol is at peace and aware of the fact he loves Alduin and wants her to stop, but Alduin doesn't know of his feelings for her...even if she holds similar ones due to his resilience, and how he listened to her side of the story when it comes to her rule. The only thing he;d need to do is impress her with strength and power as that seems to be a major factor in gaining a Dragoness' interest.
From what some media and fantasy stuff say.
Don't worry, this story won't end with the Sovngarde fight...it'll continue on into Dawnguard and Dragonborn with things happening in between them.