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Humanity's Bane
"What in Oblivion could those damn old geezers want with me?" Questioned out loud Azrail as he walked up the 7000 steps to High Hrothgar.
His newly appointed Housecarl looked at him and answered "I believe it's due to your dragon-like abilities my thane." Answered Lydia as she walked beside him.
Azrail chuckles "Either that or someone needs to help them change their undergarments"
Lydia laughs at his joke but turns serious quickly. They continue to walk up the hill almost reaching the top. Suddenly a roar is heard. They look up to see a frost troll roaring at them on top of the ledge. The monster turns and runs away.
"I guess we scared him away" Commented Azrail.
Another roar is heard. "Or not" finished Lydia as she took her sword out and prepared her shield.
Azrail watches amusingly as the frost troll charges them. Lydia standing in front of Azrail prepares to strike the troll but the troll stops as it spontaneously combusts into fire. Looking back Lydia sees Azrail making signals with his hands. Suddenly a wall of fire surrounds the frost troll. The wall gets closer and closer to the troll until finally it burns him and lights him on fire once more.
Once the fire dies down the troll collapses to the ground wheezing as it gasps for breath. The troll looks out to the pair with pleading eyes.
Azrail smirks as he steps on the Frost Trolls head. "Oi remember your the one who attacked us..." he squished the trolls head more "so don't get upset when I kill you" Azrail pulls out his sword and stabs the trolls head killing it.
They both continue their travel with Azrail whistling a tune and Lydia deep in thought. 'My role as Housecarl is to protect my thane with my life, however, this man is powerful.' She looks back at the burnt corpse. 'I feel like I have to protect others from him'.
They turn around the corner and see a large building. High Hrothgar. They enter and outcome four old men, the Graybeards. The graybeards taught Azrail the rest of Unrelenting force and a new word, Whirlwind Sprint. They leave High Hrothgar walking back down the seven thousand steps.
Azrail holds up his hands and creates a portal. "Come on Lydia I'm not climbing down those damn steps."
Surprised Lydia asks "how can you do this?"
"Training, but it's a spell that allows me to teleport either a short distance or to places I've already been. It consumes a lot of Magicka so I barely use it."
"I see and this portal will take us straight to the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller?"
"No, but I've been at the surrounding area so we'll just walk the rest."
An hour later
*Sigh. "Finally, we made it," Azrail says while opening up the chest and Lydia smiling behind him. The chest is empty but a note is left.
"Fuck me," Azrail says while banging his head on the chest and Lydia giving him comfort pat.
Two hours later
"Yeah, I want the attic room," Azrail says while a tired-looking Lydia nods in conformation.
"Hmm the attic room you say huh, well we don't have an attic room but you can stay over there in that empty room." The innkeeper says.
Azrail too tired to care nods and walks over to the room with Lydia in toll. They see one bed. Looking at each other they nod and rush over jumping on the bed and relaxing. The innkeeper comes in telling Azrail to follow her. He follows her and after a few threats and a few bargains, Azrail takes up her offer and manages to retrieve the stupid horn.
"Alright, Lydia break-times over let's go," Azrail says while picking stuff up.
"Yes, my thane" she gets up and follows him. "So, where we headed."
"To an ancient dragon burial site."
"Lovely," she says with her head down.
Burial site
They reach there and see a black dragon conversing with the newly resurrected dragon.
"My thane, what's the objective?" Lydia whispered.
"To observe, however, I have questions and this dragon speaks our language. So with that said" Azrail stands up and walks over but Lydia tackles him to the ground behind some rocks. The dragons look over but see no one so they continue talking.
"Are you crazy!" Lydia asks in a hushed tone. As she holds him down.
Azrail chuckles "Well Lydia if you wanted to have your way with me we could have spared some time in the Inn"
Lydia blushes "My thane I'm aware you defeated a dragon but this is two dragons and there's only two of us. We can't fight them!"
"I have no intention of fighting them, I only want to talk." Azrail pushes Lydia off him with surprising strength shocking Lydia. "Just stay here and if things go south fire away" Azrail winks at her and walks towards the dragons.
"Hey," Azrail cooly says grabbing both dragons attention.
Lydia slaps her head at this man's audacity.
"Hmm go away mortal, what right have you to call us?" Asks the dragon on the ground.
"My right as Dragonborn" Azrail says while surprising the dragon.
"Hmm I thought I smelled you Dovahkiin," said the black dragon as he prepared to kill Azrail.
"Now now now I'm sure we can reach some sort of understanding. After all, I know what you're after and I have to tell you, you won't get it." Azrail says with a confident smirk.
"What could you possibly know?"
"I know you're not at full strength"
Alduin glares as he lands in front of Azrail. He raises his head high and spreads his wings far showing off his immense size.
"Do I look weak to you Dovahkiin?" Alduin questions.
"Not at all. Your victory over Helgen proves that much."
Alduin puffs his chest with pride.
"But you haven't attacked any of the Holds, have you? Why would someone with so much power hold back? I thought about it and figured that the only reason you're resurrecting your fallen brothers was not out of some family bond but because you needed help."
Alduin glares at Azrail and smashes the ground roaring at Azrail's face. "WATCH YOUR WORDS Dovahkiin"
The dragon in the background shrinks back in fear as his older brother roars in anger.
Azrail stands still as his hair is blown back from Alduin's roar. He sweats in fear but keeps his cool.
At the same time, Delphine arrives and sees the two dragons. Pulling out her sword she charges the dragon but is tackled by Lydia who puts her in a chokehold.
"Alduin! I'm here to make a bargain with you"
Alduin glares but pays close attention. "What do you have in mind?"
"Give me command of your dragon army! Give me the power to control the mortals!"
Alduin widens his eyes in surprisement. "You understand your destiny is to stop me right?"
"I refuse to obey the tales of a prophecy. I refuse to be a puppet in the schemes of the Gods and Princes." Azrail says while glaring at Alduin.
Lydia and Delphine are surprised by his words as they peek over to see what's happening.
Alduin grins as he chuckles. His eyes glow a deep crimson red. "Well said Dovahkiin. You want power, I can give it to you however you must prove yourself in combat. You killed one of my brothers. But this time you will fight one of them one on one. So no, your friends hiding behind that rock can't help, or else the deal is void." Lydia and Delphine stand up as they've been caught red-handed.
"Deal," Azrail says.
"Thane!"
"Dragonborn!"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Azrail says while raising his arm signaling them to not interfere.
"Excellent" Alduin flies above and watches his younger brother fight the Dragonborn.
"Soooo how we going to do this? I come at you? You come at me? Mhmmm we come together?" Azrail says smirking while making motions with his hand.
The dragon glares and walks forward trying to devour Azrail however stops as an explosion happens under his wing. Looking at his wing he sees burn marks.
Azrail whistles and says "that's got to sting, best watch your step now don't want to trigger another do we?"
The dragon steps back but ends up triggering another trap as his entire leg becomes frozen in place. Looking back he tries to burn it off but is distracted as his entire body becomes electrocuted. He roars in agony until it finally stops. He looks at Azrail and sees him pointing down.
Looking down he sees another trap but it hasn't been activated yet. A rock is thrown at it but it doesn't set off the trap. Until the rock is conjured into a bunny. The bunny and the dragon are electrocuted. The bunny dies but the dragon lives. Angry the dragon breaks away from the ice and flies up.
Azrail freezes one of the dragons wings causing him to land back down harshly setting off more traps in the process. The dragon shakes himself off and looks around but can't see anything due to the dust now flying around because of the explosions. He looks to the left and sees Azrail about to stab him in the eye so he prepares to release fire upon him.
Azrail noticing this shouts "Fus Ro Dah!" Forcing the dragon to flinch away and miss his shot. Azrail jumps on top and kills the dragon by stabbing it repeatedly in the brain. The dragon collapses and begins to disintegrate.
Azrail absorbs the soul within and feels it become apart of him.
Alduin lands behind him setting off the traps however they have little to no effect on him. "Well done, you've killed a dragon all on your own. Even if he was the weakest."
"So we have a deal then?"
"A bargain is a bargain. You will have limited control over my brothers." Leaning closer to Azrail. "Do not disappoint me Dovahkiin." Alduin rises "soon one of my brothers will find you, you will discuss your plans with him" he flies away leaving the Dragonborn and the two women behind.
Delphine runs to Azrail and punches him across the face "You asshole! Your willing to betray humanity to serve that worm!" Lydia catches her next punch and throws her away. Delphine gets up and pulls out her sword ready to kill them both. Lydia herself gets ready.
"As much as I would love to see you fight...naked of course, I'm running on borrowed time right now so if we could get going that would be great." Azrail starts walking away but is stopped by a blade to his throat.
"What the hell are you thinking!" Delphine questions while Lydia's blade is pressed against her throat.
"I beat that dragon with those traps I laid out, yet Alduin didn't even flinch when he landed on them." He grabs her sword tightly "I'm strong, stronger than anyone else I bet" the blade shatters surprising both females. "And I'm not talking physically. If I'm to beat Alduin I need time, I need even more power."
Squinting her eyes Delphine asks "what did you have in mind?"
"I'm going to make a deal with beings who can kill him."
Lydia widens her eyes. "You don't mean the DAE-"
"Yes, I'm going to make a deal with the Daedric Princes." He walks ahead of them. "I'll also have to learn words of power and weapons capable of fighting dragons would be of help and I know just where to start."
Elsweyr Camp
Khamira is sitting on her throne listening to the daily report. Someone had their sweet roll stolen, bandits running amok, dragons invading caravans, threats from Ulfric, and the now a recently named Dragonborn.
Khamira looks to Abnur Tharn "Abnur, what do you make of this?"
The imperial walks over and says "Well if these Nords are telling the truth then I believe it's the beginning of the end. That is of course assuming this Dragonborn isn't real, but if he is then he would make for a powerful ally. Hopefully, he isn't sided with the Stormcloaks or else that just makes him a dangerous foe."
Khamira is in deep thought until the doors open.
A soldier comes walking in "Your highness may I present to you Dragonborn" Khamira widens her eyes as Abnur walks closer to Khamira ready to protect her.
In comes Azrail wearing a hood with Lydia following close behind as the guards prepare to attack them should they try anything foolish.
Finally, they reach the court. Lydia bows but Azrail doesn't. Khamira sniffs the air and recognizes the scent. Glaring she stands up. "YOU!"
Azrail smiles and unveils himself. "Love, it's been a while" his eyes glow a dark blue.
"Azrail? I see you're in good health, decided to join the Empire?" Abnur asks while Khamira walks past him towards Azrail.
"Of course not Abnur, I'm not brave enough for politics," Azrail says while fending off an angry Khajiit.
"You" swipe "son" kick "of a" scratch "bitch" punch "what makes you think you could just waddle your ass back in here after that stunt you pulled," says Khamira as she tries hitting Azrail but both her arms are held by him.
Azrail and Khamira teleport out of there causing the guards to become alarmed as they all rush to where they were before. The look around confused.
"Stand down soldiers, trust me your queen is safe. That man will let nothing happen to her so long as he lives." Abnur looks to Lydia. "Now then Housecarl let's get you a room. I'm sure you haven't been able to rest with Azrail as your thane." He jokingly says while leading her away.
Azrail and Khamira teleport into her bedchambers. "Now now let me explain-" Azrail is punched again in the face.
With a huff, Khamira walks to her window facing away from Azrail. She holds herself as she stares out into the sky.
"Khamira I need your help" Azrail walks forward.
"You expect me to help you after what you did" Khamira grips her arms tightly.
"No amount of apologies can fix what I've done but please you have to understand I can't stay here."
"I DONT CARE ABOUT THAT!" Khamira cries out. "I know you were never one to stay in one place, but I was hoping I could at least say goodbye and not have to wake up to see you gone leaving me like some cheap whore." Tear's threaten to fall out of Khamira's eyes.
Azrail smiles. "Khamira... if I waited for you and if I saw you... I would never have left. I would've stayed for even longer." He walks up behind Khamira and embraces her.
"Five years Azrail...you kept me waiting for five years" she burrows her face into his chest purring.
"And not a day went by where I never thought of you." He lifts her chin and kisses her. They walk over and fall on her bed making love.
Night Time
Azrail and Khamira lay on the bed while holding each other.
"Azrail" Khamira says softly.
Azrail gives her his attention. "Yes?"
"Do you remember how we use to go on adventures together, how we always created mischief?"
"Of course, though If memory serves correctly it was always your idea" Azrail says playfully.
"Hmm funny I always remembered you were the one creating mischief and then I was the one who got into trouble."
"That's because I was alway sneaky"
"And a cheater"
They both share a laugh as Khamira holds on to him tighter.
Azrail notices this and feels guilty. He holds on to her tighter as well. Whispering he says "I'm not going anywhere, when you wake up I'll be here." He says reassuringly. Khamira relaxes her grip and closes her eyes falling asleep. Azrail holds her and closes his eyes joining her in slumber.
Morning
Khamira wakes up and stretches. Memories flood her mind of last night. Widening her eyes she gets up and looks around. Feeling the bed she feels another body underneath the covers. Moving the covers she sees Azrail there sleeping away. She sighs in relief. Laying back down she cuddles with Azrail and starts playing with his hair.
After a while Azrail stirs awake and gets up. He prepares to get off the bed but is restrained. Smiling he looks back to see Khamira rubbing her face against Azrail's face. Her hands travel south.
Grunting Azrail says "Khamira, love not now." He says while struggling to keep his sanity.
Purring she says "I'm only making up for lost time" she begins to stroke.
Azrail grips the sheets and is about to go back for another round but someone comes knocking on the door.
"My queen a dragon has been spotted! It's attacked the trading caravans!" Reported a soldier.
"Duty calls" says Azrail as they both jump out of bed and quickly put on their clothes. Azrail wearing his armor and Khamira wearing her queen attire. They both quickly rush outside into the city square. The merchants come running.
"My queen! A dragon has attacked our caravans. It's destroyed everything" The merchant says while gasping for breath.
"Calm yourself, you've done well by bringing us this news. Quickly head for cover now." Khamira stares at the remnants of the caravans as they quickly enter the gate and scamper away. She sighs but is comforted by Azrail as he holds her shoulder. Suddenly a roar is heard and the shadow of a dragon is seen. Everyone looks up to see a red dragon flying around.
Khamira yells out "Clear the main roads! Soldiers get the people to safety! My personal guard prepare for combat!" Soldiers quickly run away getting people out of harms way and Khamira's personal guards come to her aid.
Azrail walks forward towards the center of the square and stands his ground glaring at the dragon. Suddenly the dragon lands in front of him causing a huge gust of wind.
"Dovahkiin!" Called the dragon as it raised its head showing its dominance.
Azrail stood his ground while gripping his sword tightly. "So, I guess your the dragon Alduin said would meet me"
"I am, Dovahkiin,." The dragon leans in closer. "But before we discuss your plans I would have a taste of your thum."
"I see" Azrail takes a step back "Fus". Azrail's ability surprises everyone there except for Lydia.
The dragon appears to take in the shout. "Yes you truly have the voice of a Dovah. Now as part of your agreement with Alduin. You will have limited control over the Dovah. Hmm" The dragon looks around seeing everyone. "I wonder, will this be our first conquest?" The Dovah looks at Azrail with questioning eyes.
'Shit! I never imagined it would be so soon.' Azrail looks back at Khamira who in turn looks at him with worry. Gritting his teeth Azrail looks at the Dovah. "Dovah how many dragons are there currently besides Alduin?"
"Hmm we were five however you have slain two, so now we are down to three. One blood dragon, one frost dragon and I"
"Then we need allies." Azrail yells out to Khamira. "Khamira! Bring me a map and table!" Khamira nods and signals her soldiers to bring them. A few seconds pass by and the items are brought. Khamira walks forward and joins Azrail.
"Then we'll have to divide our forces. While the dragons attack the imperials, Khamira and her forces will attack the Stormcloaks." He points towards the left of the map up to Solitude. "Solitude" he then points to Windhelm "Windhelm, those two are our biggest concerns. They both are the main strongholds for their respective sides. Taking them won't be easy. So if we want to defeat them we'll have to weaken them first. First we'll take Markarth with the element of surprise. The dragons will attack during the night and cause as much destruction as they can. When day comes Khamira and her forces will attack, we'll take the hold by force and put someone we trust in command of it." He looks at the dragon with determination in his eyes.
The dragon stares back and chuckles "Well done Dovahkiin, had you given me an unsatisfying answer I would've killed you and burned this place to the ground." Azrail sweats but doesn't shift his gaze. "How much time will you require before we land out assault?"
"One month from now" Azrail says surprising Khamira.
"So be it. Farewell Dovahkiin. But before I go you will need to know my name and a warning. If you need to, call my name and I will come if I can." He shouts his name on the ground and gives his understanding of the words to Azrail.
"Odahviing? Nice name." Azrail comments.
"As a act of goodwill I will teach one more word of power." Odahviing breathes fire on the ground revealing a new word of power. Azrail takes it in and is given the understanding of its meaning.
Azrail faces up and shouts "Yul" fire comes out of his mouth proving once more he's Dragonborn. Azrail turns to Odahviing in surprisement of his gift.
"And now for my words of warning, Dovahkiin, do not trust Alduin for he plans to kill you sooner than you think." Odahviing prepares to leave but is stopped by Azrail.
"Odahviing! Why warn me? Why bother?" Azrail asks.
"Truth is many have begun to question Alduin's strength. Many wish to see a change in leadership. Don't disappoint me Dovahkiin." With that Odahviing leaves leaving a stunned audience.
Azrail stares at his fleeting form smiling. He grins manically 'I see. So an opportunity has arisen. Hehehehe. It's almost like they're just begging me to be the Usurper.'
"Azrail"
Azrail turns to see Khamira and a few guards point their swords at him.
"Explain yourself" Khamira says while glaring at him.
Azrail smiles and says "I made a deal with a worm and now... I live on borrowed time. Khamira, I came for the Dragonhorn. A war bigger than the civil war is about to commence and we're in the middle of it. All I could do was keep the dragons off your kingdom but now if I can't defeat Alduin within one month. Your kingdom will be dragged into a war on two fronts. Against the Stormcloaks and the Imperials. So in one month I'll become stronger and defeat Alduin or we all die"
Abnur walks up and says "you understand I'm part of the Imperial Alliance correct?"
"yes but you also have a aid Khamira in any way, besides we are not fighting the imperials yet just some angry drunk nords." Azrail says grinning.
"Oh I suppose you do have a point there so long as we don't attack the imperials directly we should be fine." Abnur and Azrail stare at Khamira waiting for her orders.
Khamira glares and shouts out "Captain! Gather the men and prepare for war. Ready some anti-dragon weapons! Prepare our escape plans! Now!" The soldiers nod and run to prepare things.
Azrail looks around "You seem to have taken that better than expected."
"I have to act quickly or else you'll die." She says smirking. "Azrail in one month we'll have enough resources to launch an offensive on Markarth. But promise me you'll come back safely. If you can't defeat that worm then just come back here. We'll protect you and we'll think of another way."
"Khamira should I fail, run. Run far away."
"You know I can't do that. If you die then I'll avenge you. And should I fail then I'll join you in the afterlife."
They share an embrace and a kiss. Perhaps their final one. No one can predict the future now. A Dovahkiin who must gamble it all to fulfill his destiny. A Khajiit who must fulfill her roles as a queen and a lover. And a Dovah who will devour the world. Life's will be lost and bonds may shatter. Time is finite and now the Dovahkiin must race against time.
A/N: Alright another chapter down finally the story has begun to drift away from the main story line. Leave a review guys and I'll see you all later.