The silence of dread crept up from under us as we slowly cleared the snow and rubbles. This pile of charred wood and collapsed roof used to be Hall of the Vigilant. There was no more signs of life here, only a desecrated smell of burnt flesh mixed with the remnants of a foul, diseased and corrupted magic.

The journey up from the Rift was not without challenges. For one, having to wear the heavy steels through the snow was difficult for the new recruits, who were mostly young and are farm hands. A few can still be caught wincing and cursing at the blisters and frostbites, honestly I would be the same if not for my spells. The older ones, former Vigilantd of Stendarr, on the other hand are completely accustomed to it. Regardless of inexperienced or seasoned Dawnguards, none of them had any smiles on their face left after we found what's left of the hall of vigilants.

After I telekinetically moved a few hefty, burned beams and logs out of the rest of the burnt buildings, Celan and Tolan ordered the rest of the group to take a break while they kept digging for bodies, their nails were bleeding, mixed with dirt and their hands purple and frozen with a few small cuts that are just 'weeping' blood. I quickly fixed them up with a quick restoration spell, but they just went back to digging afte a moment of a quick nod.

As eloquent as I am, I was at a loss for words. What do you say to someone who has to bury so many of their friends and acquaintances in just one day? I have dealt with loss before, Archmage Savos and Master Wizard Mirabelle. But it was their choices, and it was thanks to their sacrifice that the rest of the college was unharmed in the Eye of Magnus incident. If I come to find the college of Winterhold, or the Royal Castle of Daggerfall in this state, I don't know how I would've reacted.

The fire had long since gone out and there wasn't a single living soul left here. Some of the bodies were so mutilated and burnt that you can't recognize what they were, let along who they were. We tried our best to separate the dead vampires and vigilants by teeth, but at the end of the day we have to bury them all deep down into the ground. Especially if we were to run into the very creatures who can reanimate the dead. Vampirism is such an interesting disease, and it is out of my scope of interest or research. May have to read over the publications of the old conjuration master of the college, Falion, on this matter.

Our reinforcement from Winterhold had met up with us along the way. It was a much shorter travel for them. J'zargo was accompanied by a few men sent by Jarl Korir, I didn't even have to look to know it's the Khajit who answered my request since he always made sure to announce his arrival. They were tasked with digging up the shallow grave for the simple burial of the dead, J'zargo was not too pleased, but he listened to me.

An unexpected guest in our elite vampire-hunting force was Alvanna. I recognized this peasant in an instant, dirty and messy leather armor that looked like she just wrestled another dragon. She was just leaving Kynsgrove when I spotted her. She insisted on joining us when she heard what we were up to, in her words, she had wanted a break from fighting dragons, still trying to figure out her purpose and all, like most of us in this world. But unlike the rest of us, hers was up to the divine will. And what a divine will it is! Took her on a wild goose chase across the province according to her, just to track down a ceremonial horn. And now, she must scale mount High Hrothgar once again. To save her time, and potentially everyone's lives in the ever-worsening dragon crisis, I told her that I will teleport her there once we are done here.

All it really required was some runes for anchoring and localization. Which I had subtly done so right outside their courtyard. I doubt the greybeards will be happy to find that out, but I guess time will tell.

The art of teleportation is another one of my pastime projects, stemmed from a few old elusive mentions from the dusty books of Cyrodil's guild. I have read some records that it was another one of the lost art, or people simply just tried to be selfish enough to let the world know about it. Such a shame, imagine the world if everyone would have access to the means of instant teleportation at their will, instead of through the clumsy architecture they call wayshrines. I hope that I will be able to make that a reality one day. As of right now, I have gotten my personal travelling portals to be somewhat stabilizing ever after the few experiments I ran when I witnessed the Psiijic Monk Quaranir using this type of magic. The Psiijics, elusive buggers those are, once again, are some group of recluse who spent more efforts in being elitists about their craft than they are about learning them.

I am not too overly worried about our excursion to the Dimhollow crypt though. Whatever can a mob of vampires do to us? I am quite confident in my own abilities and having dealt with much worse enemies than some disease carrying beasts. Plus, there are some capable warriors and even the dragonborn is with us here – she can hold her own quite well, not as efficient mind you, but still. I am never one to believe in fate or divine will but if there is one, they wouldn't have let her died here without fulfilled her 'divine purpose'. Since the last dragonborn cannot die until her fated encounter, that means we will all be safe by her side. Let's just call it, a double insurance.

On the other hand, I am excited, tingling even on the prospect of whatever could be awaiting for us down there in the crypt. My intuition never fails me and it is yearning with a strong anticipation.

My rapid race of thoughts was interrupted by two familiar faces. One of which was welcomed, fiery red hair and a toned figure, would be even considered quite charming, the target of the buffoons at the banquets if she were to wear a courtly dress – yet something tells me she won't ever. The other person gives me a straight headache, his face is covered in white fur and decorated with a cheeky expression.

"Archmage Olcen have pity on J'zargo, his hands are already sore and bruised, this is a job for the brutes, not for the likes of powerful wizards like J'zargo." The Khajit glanced at Alvanna, whom upon hearing that, had a very non-friendly smile towards him.

J'zargo, resourceful, arrogant, talented mage who enjoys destruction magic a little too much. They say first impressions don't lie, and my personal notes hold true since the very beginning.

"J'zargo, you are technically still at the rank of an assistant, I wouldn't be going around insulting anyone just yet, let along the mighty dragonborn, the slayer of dragons and prophesized chosen champion of Akatosh" I said this in a comical way as I was trying to lighten the intense mood with a good demonstration of humor, but oddly no one was laughing, I was sure that the men had heard us.

"Quit it Paige" Chosen Champion slapped my shoulder so hard that I reactively casted the Ebonyflesh spell to keep me from stumbling. "Read the room a little"

I tilted my head around to observe the solemn looks remained on each of the Dawnguards. I bit my tongue as I now realize perhaps trying to crack any kind of jokes in this environment might not be suitable, even considered insensitive. Damn it J'zargo, it's all your fault.

Then J'zargo did something that even I didn't predict, "Khajit is sorry to have insulted the mighty dragonborn, but please refrain from physically abusing Madam Archmagus, or he and the college will indeed see it as a slight and an insult and react accordingly." I could tell by the fire elements gathering on his hands to know that this Khajit is not joking anymore. Damn it J'zargo, stop overreacting.

I waved to muffle all noise from our little corner so not to disrupt the mourning crowd, and I discretely flicked J'zargo on the forehead, "this is why you are still only an assistant J'zargo, read the room a little."

J'zargo again was not pleased, he mumbled something and then he walked back to help Jarl Korir's men with a few simple restorations for their aches and bruises. If you tell me on the day we started as apprentices at the Winterhold college that, J'zargo, the egocentric, arrogant and insufferable Khajit will learn restoration magic? And to help others? I would have laughed. But indeed he has come a long way since then, all of us have, he accompanied me to many excursions and had a natural talent for destruction magic, his skill in combat amongst the rest of the college is second only to Faralda at this point. I am quite proud of him, actually, all four of us who started together, me, J'zargo, Onmund and Brelyna, have grown considerably since our days of apprenticeship.

"So, what has our fearless dragon-killer been up to other than slaying dragons?" I quickly fixed my dress and quietly casted some scouting magic familiar to scope the perimeters for the scents of vampires, can never be too careful since we are almost there.

"Travelled quite a bit, went north to the tomb of Ysgramor and then I was near Morthal, digging for the horn." Alvanna's leather armor was already covered in mud and snow, despite my best efforts to rinse it with cleaning spells, a lost cause. "Met Jarl Ravencrone too, she was nice."

"You met Jarl Ravencrone? The Seer?"

"Indeed, she was… an odd lady but she was quite welcoming, do you think it's true, that she can see the future?"

"hard to judge someone until I meet them, but the powers of oneiromancy and premonition are based around an indirect glimpse into the flow of time, highly unpredictable at the best of times"

…

"We are ready to go now, Madame sorceress," Celan came to us when we were still recounting our own tales of adventures. I turned to this Breton man, he was objectively handsome for our standards. He grew up in Skyrim and was raised by the vigilants since he could walk. He had always been calm and collected, now is nothing different. The only tell is that his eyes were bloodshot, like the rest of them, whom were all gathered and ready to go now.

"Then let's go." I nodded and followed the group. We walked briskly across the mountain pass, Me and J'zargo were staying in the middle, being careful. The rest of the way was quiet.

A few ghostly figures in the form of a wolf sprung up to me, and with a vivid and lively leap from the ground, it jumped into my outstretched right hand. these were my familiars who had already done their duty. "We are near and there weren't any keeping watch outside." I quickly communicated on the information relayed by my familiar. "But they sensed a few in the cavern by the entrance."

…

The element of surprise is key to any kind of mission where you hope to infiltrate, occupy or attack something. Which is a bit harder to do with one narrow opening and about 30 of us trying to make our way in. Alvanna had spent a bit of time consolidating signals and plan between the guards of winterhold and the dawnguards. I had made sure to let our fighters all each take a bottle of the potion of cure diseases for the fight that is about to happen. Can never be too careful since a single exposure brings the chance of contracting the Sanguinare Vampiris disease.

"Wait for my signal" Alvanna led the way into the dark cave and she took four with her, a few dawnguards along with Tolan the old vigilant.

J'zargo walked up to beside me, "J'zargo can smell trouble inside here, I don't think we should wait too long. But I could be completely wrong, the Khajiit hasn't known any smell since a minor incident with the sulfurs"

"Trust her, she can handle it." I shrugged while scoping the layout of this place using my magical aides.

"J'zargo knows, J'zargo has eyes, the dragonborn isn't one to be trifled with, but with more hands our job could be done faster. Khajiit do miss the warm hearth of the college."

Before we could talk more, we heard a very loud barking, "WOOF WOOF!" likely a similar species to canines. And what followed was a very vulgar expression from the mouth of our divine champion of akatosh, "SHIT!"

"Ah yes, the signal." J'zargo held one hand out for a shielding ward and the other hand a convenient fireball was readied as he rushed into the door before me or anyone else.

As the rest of us all made our way in, we witnessed quite a sight, J'zargo's fireball flew out across the dark chasm underneath us and hit the two hounds at the end of the stone steps. The hounds were thrown into the air from the sheer pressure along and collapsed onto the back wall. The Khajit barred his teeth for a proud chin raise and then licked his right palm.

Alvanna and the early party are already fighting the few vampires guarding the entrance. You could smell the panic from those monsters that they lost all hope of fighting when the rest of us showed up. But it is unlikely that they can have a chance to make their getaway. It is commonly known that the vampires are fast, but Alvanna's blades were faster, by the time I made it down the steps, she had already disposed of two fledgelings.

Tolan had his hammer out and was in a strength tuck-of-war with the vampire thrall who is using a heavy great sword. They appeared to be in a standstill on the first glance but then I noticed there is a glimmer creeping up to his back. Just as his back was turned and his attention diverted, an assasin's blade swept across the air and aimed right for where his neck is.

"Incinerate!" Vampires are weak to fire and this is the spell that I can think of that works the fastest. From my right palm danced a beam of fire so bright and fast that it illuminated the whole cave. Sheering apart the air and it blasted the invisible shadow behind Tolan and engulfed him in the flame that has a flash of white and blue. It didn't get its last words as its agonizing face emerged from the waning cloak of invisibility inside the flashes and visibly it burned into a crisp. The thrall's eyes lost its focus for a second and was then proceeds to get its brains smashed in by the long-handled hammer.

Tolan only then had realized the burnt master vampire behind him and he touched his sweaty back of the neck and gave me a look of gratitude.

Celan, who was a little late to the action, was eager to keep going, "Needless to say that we have alerted whoever's inside now, let's move quickly!" From the dangerous look in his eyes, I can tell this calm and collected Breton man is looking for some bloodshed to honor his dead comrades.

"Wait Celan, take this too!" I tossed him an intriguing contraption. It was heavy but he can handle it. It is made of dwarven metal and only somewhat resembles a crossbow, a bit bulkier to accommodate the extra arrows it held in its chambers. There was an externally attached ring that held more than 10 arrows in it. Sorine was only able to make a prototype before we headed out. Seeing how it looks under the light, there are at least five different aesthetic improvements I could make to it.

It would be a good time to see how they work in practice. I get a little excited to see how our new toy would work. Especially when they were loaded with special bolts, adorned by runes of exploding fire.

…

We had to fight our way through a small company of skeletons resurrected by the vampires who had a little time to prepare for us. They weren't inherently strong but can get annoying from a distance with their bows. They surprised us as we were trying to cross the underground ravine and rained arrows at us. Even when I had my warding spells at the ready, we almost lost a few good warriors on the way in. I had to cast quite a few restorations to get everyone back to their feet. Then as we saw the swarm of skeletons ahead of us, Celan fired the entire clip of our new design 'Dawnswrath' into the crowd and we enjoyed a splendid fire show that felt like it was going to collapse the entire cave. All twelve arrows were fired sequentially, it took less than a second for the machine to automatically reload the next bolt, and Celan enjoyed shooting them at 10 slightly different direction of the skeletons and watched them explode, one after another.

He then looked at me like a wonder-filled pup who just got a new toy, "Do you have more bolts?"

"Of course," I tossed him another clip of short bolts and watched him replace the empty one with it. It was both intuitive and easy, you just have to keep a few preloaded clips. I could see it is very good for crowd breaking, however a bit of compromise on the accuracy. Whether he was firing too quickly or that there were too much recoil that it was hard to overcome. I have a few ideas that we could test out afterwards.

Another master vampire charged at Celan with his eyes glowing of bloodlust and hatred, perhaps he commanded those skeletons and he had wanted to stop us all here with them. He led his groups of fledgelings and thralls but his personal target was Celan. He was bold, tried to take out Celan before he could recharge Dawnswrath but unluckily for him, he tripped. He didn't quite fall but he was stalled for a second. Angrily he looked at the uncanny obstacle, it was a boot, belonged to someone with a very furry face.

"J'zargo apologizes" the face of white fur had a very comical smile, "and wish you farewell."

Before the master vampire could say another more, he noticed that the cold tip of the Dawnswrath was aimed at its face.

...

My ears were still ringing when I yanked Dawnswrath from Celan's hand, "Did you have to empty another full clip on one master vampire? Do you need confirmation that his exploded head was really dead?"

I rolled my eyes at the shifty hand that was trying to swipe the Dawnswrath crossbow and hide it with a pocket dimension storage spell.

"Please?" Alvanna's face looked like a sad puppy with eyes that had a glimmer and pleasure in the potential carnage. "I promise not to waste the bolts like that one."

"No. I didn't have time to load more clips yet, maybe next time"

…

We were faced with little to none resistance for the next part, mostly. There are quite a lot of signs of struggle though, scratches, dents, burnt marks and of course, corpses. The hounds, vampires, thralls, spiders and the Draugrs are just littered everywhere, no more animated that the rock formations they lie on. Phinis Gestor has mentioned to me that the Draugrs are acting strangely. What puzzled me is why they were engaged in such a fierce conflict with the vampires who ventured down here, searching for something.

White claws, dried flesh that barely clings to the bones, at least they still look quite like the same creature they were. I see no physical evidence from these corpses that may suggest they are special. At least, it is completely normal to see them in a crypt with the crude and raw abstract concept that is the ancient Nordic art. Nothing seems too out of the ordinary when compared to the usual ones crawling around in crypts like this.

That is up until moments later. It was dark so not many perhaps has noticed it, but I have. The architecture have suddenly changed, arched walk ways, tiled flooring and a few decorative gargoyles. It was like we stepped through a door and entered into another time and place. Really quite strange.

The signs of struggle gotten more severe as we advanced further. The air is cold and stale, never was a big fan of digging through the crypts like this. I guess it is a bit more tolerable when everyone was highly strung and on high alert. One of the fighters cursed as he moved his hands frantically across the face to remove the entangled spider webs brought on. Seeing his struggle, I waved my fingers and raised a flame cloak for him that burned every thread almost instantly.

"UGHH!" As we got closer, a faint scream seems to echo in the air, as well as some much quieter but chilling voices that I can't quite make out yet. They all seem to be behind the wall and some distance beyond, Alvanna made a gesture for everyone to be quiet and paused where we are while I closed my eyes slowly. When I opened my eyes again, my vision was slightly different. Across the walls I could see them, a singular silhouette with a blue glow, surrounded by a large number of red silhouettes.

"One humanoid non hostile, and Undead hostiles, likely vampires, more than a few dozens."

"That must be brother Adalvald we just heard. Come on, we have to hurry!" Tolan whispered to me but his voice was shaking, even his hands were trembling from the stress.

"Let's give these bastards a surprise," I looked around and counted, roughly twenty-four of us altogether, "I am about to cast a spell, please do not resist"

A dark blue glow swirled around my arms as I silently chanted. I crossed my hands and focused the magicka in the air and channeled them to a single focus point at the center of my palms. Not the first time I command the elements of magicka to bend to my will like this. "Fade Other!" I mumbled and watched a blue wave wash other everyone near me. Within seconds, everyone faded away, not a footprint, not a breath and not any kind of signs of our existence remained.

Alvanna gasped in wonder, "Paige, what did you do? I am see through! So are you, and so is everyone else!"

"It's a spell, it doesn't last forever though, so this is our opportunity to sneak up on the vampires down there. Come on, no time to waste." I made for the platform that oversees below while I hope everyone is following, some people were not used to it at first and I could hear them bumping into one another. Thank the divines I made even their armors silent

The moment I stepped out on the platform, I noticed a circular island made of stone, suspended alone with one way in and the opposite way out. Marble arches flowered around it to make it very aesthetically pleasing. But what catches my attention first was the vampires around, probably around forty or fifty of them. The one vampire that was dressed in more ornated robe than the others has lifted the chin of the vigilant, Adalvald, who was defeated, suspended midair via his wrists by two other vampires. Wounds surrounded his body, a couple of them were still gushing red, fresh.

I didn't waste any time to descend the stairs, while trying not to alert them. I suspect the others are doing the same.

The vampire punched brother Adalvald in the stomach again, and took out a handkerchief to clear his hands of the blood.

The vigilant spat out some mixture of spit and blood and he wheezed for a bit until he caught his breath again, "I'll never tell you anything, vampire. My oath to Stendarr is stronger than any suffering you can inflict on me." His voice was quite weak, god knows how long he had been enduring all of this.

"I believe you, Vigilant." The vampire shooked his head, as if it's a pity, "And I don't think you even know what you've found here. So go and meet your beloved Stendarr." He was fast, the claws of his gauntlet was aimed straight for the throat of his captive.

Now I wouldn't be a worthy Archmagus if I allow the vampire to do that, not on my watch.

"Paralyze!" I directed a wave of the alteration magic of paralysis towards him, and watched those other vampires caught in the way all to fall to the ground, a few were able to resist, including the red haired vampire who appeared to be the leader. He resisted being paralyzed to the ground, however it still prevented his hands from hurting the vigilant.

"Greetings, vampires." I curtsied as my cloak of invisibility has dropped the second I casted the spell. "Archmagus of Winterhold College, Daughter of King Jakcieleier, Princess of Daggerfall, Pelagia Olcen, the III of her name, pleasure to make your acquittance."

At first the vampires were thrown off by my spell but those who resisted came to much faster, they surrounded me along with those who were not in range for my paralysis spell. Leaving no room to escape, but they weren't brave enough to try anything yet, or they were simply waiting for orders.

The vampire leader scanned me with an awe as if I was a lamb walking into a slaughterhouse at its own volition. His gaze made me quite uncomfortable, "Lokil of the Volkihar Clan. You are going to regret that parlor trick, little girl" It is the patronizing tone that made my skin crawl with anger.

"Is that so?" I smiled and snapped my fingers. "Anytime now, J'zargo."

Lokil of the Volkihar Clan quickly turned around and saw two things: first was Adalvald the vigilant was levitating in mid-air, I used telekinesis to thrust him back up to the platform that we came down from. Then, there's J'zargo.

The khajit had a smile that is hard to read for those who don't know him. I, however, have spent quite a lot of time during my apprenticeship and student years with him. J'zargo's smile is dangerous, unhinged with a fervor of a mad scholar, it can be scary sometimes – and that's coming from me. Especially when I noticed his arms were laid open and covered in scorching flames.

Of course, master level destruction spell, Firestorm is his favorite. Been telling everyone he meets that he knows how to do it since our first days. Always a bit of a show off, this Khajiit, it never really humbled him that I mastered it much earlier and he only learned the spell just this year. I pray that he has indeed 'mastered' it.

Whirling flames erupted like a volcano centered around him and washed everyone else in the close vicinity. Lokil, being right next to J'zargo was the first one to get hit. The closest vampires were completely swallowed by the monstrous firestorm and the proud Lokil of Volkihar clan was quickly turned to ashes along with at least fifteen closest vampires. The rest were more or less incapacitated.

I was calm and composed until I could feel the heat burning through to me as well. That's when I noticed J'zargo's spells were pretty non-discriminatory. I cursed J'zargo under my breath and scrambled to erect protection wards for everyone on our side. The flames had already revealed everyone from the invisibility. We were all sufficiently close, ready for the combat that was inevitably cut short. No one from our side was badly hurt though, thanks to me.

…

The rest of the vampires didn't put up too much of a fight. our warriors were eager to put an end to them after what we saw earlier in the hall of the vigilants.

J'zargo shuffled to beside me as I am casting a few restoration spells on Adalvald, who had already passed out from blood loss beforehand, "Khajiit's most sincerest apologies…"

"Shut it J'zargo, I don't wish to hear it." I rolled my eyes while temporarily mending my dress with a spell. It caught some flames before my wards kicked in and let's just say the material was not designed to withstand the heat from a master level destruction spell, an uncontrolled one at that. "You seriously need to learn to contain your spells better. I thought I showed you the way to control the targets of this spell, you still haven't mastered it?"

"It is hard to practice since there haven't been many enemies for J'zargo to practice on…No, J'zargo is not looking for excuses. J'zargo will do better."

"That's the last of them." Celan interrupted our conversation as they shoved swords to the last incapacitated vampire who was still breathing after being severely burnt. "What do you think they are doing here?"

I gestured at Vigilant Adalvald, who is slowly coming to again, "I was hoping he will tell us."

Cough, Adalvald winced as he gathered his consciousness and he shoved my hand away from him, still barely conscious. He wheezed some more while clenching to his chest, even the best of restoration magic can't take away the pain.

Vigilant Tolan helped Adalvald to sit up, and fed him some water, "Slowly brother, it is me, Tolan, we are here now, you are safe."

"To..Tolan, what are you doing here? And the vampires? Tolan, everyone, everyone's dead, I saw them, I saw them all get slaughtered." Not often you see a grown man cry.

"I know…I was there too, but don't you worry, by Stendarr's blessing, we took care of the Vampires, with the helps from Archmage Olcen, dragonborn, the Dawnguards and the guards from Winterhold."

"Thank you… Stendarr's blessing to you, for saving me and for avenging my brethren." Adavald struggled to get up with Tolan's help, but he managed to stand.

"It's what anyone would have done. Truly." I nodded, "I just can't seem to figure out why this place interests these vampires so much, and Volkihar clan… Hmm, I am not terribly well versed in the clans and history of the major vampire lineages around, I will have to do more research about it. But I understand that you had some discovery about this place? "

"Yes. Archmagus, I am sure you also have noticed it too, this section of the cave, this little island we are on, the craftmanship is different than the rest of the crypt."

"Indeed, the other parts were primitive, standards to what you would expect of Nordic ruins from the merethic era." I started to examine the stonework on the arches a bit closer with intrigue, "and these, however, are done by much more refined tools, unlikely from the same era."

"Precisely, your keen observation is most impressive, Archmage." Adalvald replied, "This island seemed out of place, and it appeared to be either a place of worship or ceremony. There were engravings and depictions unlike the rest of this place and I noticed there were some gargoyles at the end. No ancient Nord masons have fashioned these, they have to be someone who either worships or celebrates necromancy or vampirism."

"That's an interesting theory." I slowly walked around some more and examined the place more closely, "hmm, look at the lines here, it appears to be arranged in a magic pentagon, but it is concealed."

"So there are lines, but what of it?" Alvanna followed beside me out of curiosity.

"And these –" I laid a hand on one of the many goblet that stood fixed on a stoned pillar around us, "what are the purpose of these?"

"Hmmm. Let's see, oh it moves." Alvana was able to make a few of them slide in a straight line towards the center, but nothing appear to happen. I was expecting something to change when she moved the stone pillar, either a sign we did it right or some poison arrows, anything.

We are missing one more piece of the puzzle, I am sure of it. I carefully reached my mind out for the magicka around this chamber, it was not easy as someone really powerful had gone through a great deal of trouble to make sure that it may never be found. But standing here, from what is leaking through all those layers of concealment and illusions, I could sense something beyond our understanding is within our reach.

One of the earliest things I learned as a mage is that, no matter how well concealed, follow the traces of magicka for its converging point will reveal the key. I twisted my brows and focused my brilliant mind to decipher this puzzle. Everytime I thought I was onto something is when it flicker out of trace again. There's gotta be an answer, there is something, not further down the hall, right here, where we are standing.

As I am working hard to trace along the different roaming whiffs of magic scattered about the room, I heard a muffled moan of pain, "Ouch! Shit!"

Alvanna, who so carelessly placed her hand on the stone pillar at the center of the room, found her hand to be pierced by a sharp spike that sprung out, clean cut through her palm and out of the back of her hand. She jumped back around pulled her hand away and that allowed blood to pour out from the gaping hole left behind by the spike.

I was a little delayed in helping her with as little spell, as indigo flames shot up at the innermost circle. J'zargo backed away almost immediately, as he was standing right at that location. It didn't appear that he was hurt by it. Curious property these flames has, or perhaps they are not flames after all, strong magicka emits from these.

"What is this?" "Watch out!"… The crowd got a little restless as this took everyone by surprise.

"Alvanna, now try to move the pillars again." I noticed a change in the flow of the magicka as the still flames came up. It appears that without purposely trying, Alvanna the dragonborn has solved this riddle. "Move this here, no, the other way, yes, that's it, and now the next one."

…

"Click" the last pillar slid into place and the same flame covered every section of the pentagon and a whimpering violet flame burns at the goblets of each stone pillars.

Slowly, the ground we stood on started to tremble, and at the center where the spike had pierced Alvanna's hand initially started to move up, revealing a stone monolith under, about 6 foot tall. But that was not it, one of the sides appeared to be slowly mobile.

As the stone panel on one side slide down, I realized that this isn't a monolith, and this place is not a ceremonial chamber. It is a stoned casket in a decorated mausoleum. From it, a woman collapsed the second she was revealed when there is no more support. She was asleep. Before I could react, Alvanna already had her arms around her to keep her from falling.

The mysterious girl opened her eyes slowly, like recovering from a slumber that covered the better part of a day, "Unh…Where is…Who sent you here?"

Her complexion was fair, no make up needed and her skin was perfectly clear. Dark haired carefully braided with her simple tunic decorated with embroidery and trinkets of wealth. By the way she presented herself, I could immediately tell that she and I are similar in our upbringing. But none of that took me more than a fraction of a second. All of my mind and attention was on what's tied to her back. It was a scroll, probably as tall as a person, one of golden rod and glowing parchment.

Her eyes too, was glowing a hue of dark orange, much like those we laid to rest just moments ago.

"Vampire." "She's one of them!" "Kill her!"…

"Stand down." I glanced at our jumpy group of warriors who are still not yet calmed down from the bloodshed. There are a few things I want to ask first.

Alvanna was oddly defensive about this strange woman she just laid her eyes on, "She's innocent, she was trapped in there for god knows how long. She is not directly responsible for anything they have done."

"But she's a vampire."

"So what? We shan't judge someone purely based on what they are."

As they are arguing and the air is getting kind of dense, I interjected, "is that what I think it is?"

"What is?"

"Is that…" I pointed a finger to her back and my eyes were glowing in a way described by my father as

'A hungry pack of wolves who just smelt of a fresh prey', "an elder scroll".

Alvanna shoulder checked me to the side, I don't think she meant it but still made me stumble, she replaced me as the one directly in front of the mysterious woman, "First of all, who are you? Why are you locked away like this?"

"Umm, the reason I am locked away… that is complicated." The mysterious woman was quite alert and guarded, I would be too if I were to wake up to a huge group of strangers who were roaring about killing me. But she seemed to trust Alvanna more out of everyone here, it appears that there was some connection being established when Alvanna used her blood to unlock the crypt, blood magic? Very intriguing. "But my name is Serana, good to meet you, were you…sent to wake me?"

"Alvanna Windshear, and no, we got word that the group of vampire attacked the hall of the vigilants, and were looking for something here, I presume you are who they are looking for?"

"Must be my father's men." Serana whispered quietly, but their conversation was interrupted by Celan.

"Why are we conversing with this 'beast'? Let's just kill her like we killed all the others." Celan grimaced beside her and interrrupted loudly, his words resonated with the dawnguards and the two vigilants.

"I take it that you are not fond of my kind?" after gathering up her strength and thoughts, Serana was quick to respond, "Well look, kill me, and you killed but one more vampire. But if people are after me, there has to be something much bigger going on."

"I know how you all feel, trust me." I glanced back at the rowdy crowd, "But I also believe in that she is innocent, I can tell she is not hostile towards us, even after everything you all have said and what she had seen here."

The glow over her was faint blue, not red like all the other ones, that's all that I need to determine friends from foe. Words may be deceiving but their intent does not lie. Magic, tells all.

"Besides, what she is saying does make sense, so, Serana, would you care to answer our questions now."

"Well about that…there is something that's going on and I can help you figure it out. But truth be told, I can't fully trust any of you just yet…trust is a bit of a stretch at this point when half of you wants to murder me without talking." Serana casually stepped away from me as I not so discretely reacheding for the giant scroll attached to her back. "If you want to hear the whole story, help me get back to my family's home."

The simpleton redhead Nord seem to be quite on board with that idea, "where do you need to go?"

"An island just west of solitude. My family was living there before…I bet they still do"

"Your family, the Volkihar clan right?" I added while pointing to the charred corpse, "this one right here said he was from that clan, said his name was Lokil, ring any bells?"

"Yes, Lokil worked for my father" The dark haired vampire responded calmly.

"Archmage, I strongly advise you to stop listening to this vampire…" Vigilant Tolan stepped forward, and he clenched his hammer tight. "Deception, seduction and mindtricks in general are what these creatures best at."

"Vigilant, are you doubting my ability? She is a nonhostile vampire sealed away by powerful ancient magic along with an elder scroll" I replied with a sternness in my voice, "No one here will harm a hair on her head today until I figure out the connections to all this, Need I remind you that I am a guest of the dawnguards, I do not need to answer to you nor Isran."

"but." He wanted to say something and he looked around for the Dawnguard's support, but to his surprise they all kept their head down or looking away, while the Winterhold guards and J'zargo started looking at him funny.

"I have spoken, and it shall be so." I turned to address Serana, "We CAN help you get back, but may I just ask, why do you have an elder scroll?"

"Sorry, I can't answer that right now, it will have to be after you take me back."

"Can I see it?"

"No."

"Can I see it please?"

"No."

…

The dynamic seemed a little more divided and tense than before as we took a short break around here. I could tell the vigilants did not like that a vampire is now sitting amongst them but they were far too outnumbered to raise any issue. The dawnguards don't like it either but they have come to either respect or fear me. Shrugged, I will take either.

"Any idea how we can get out of here?" I asked Serana when I noticed that J'zargo's early firestorm has caused some landslides that blocked the way to the entrance.

"Your guess is good as mine, but it looks like there's some stoned passage down that way?" She gestured beyond the bridge.

We treaded cautiously across the bridge, even though we took care of the vampires, but I still have the feeling at the back of my throat that we are being watched. This approach did pay off as the second we step off, two nearby gargoyles burst out of the stone enveloped them with pebbles shooting out like shrapnel.

"GRRRRR" these interesting constructs charged at us while flapping their stone wings, moving about frantically. I have seen quite a lot, but I can't say I have met one of these in person, very old and lost magic indeed, but I have read about them.

The fighters with their pent up angst were ready for them, or rather, was looking forward to them. They were tough on the blades, a few of our warriors had their blades folded as they tried to inflict damage. Me and J'zargo decided to leave them to handle this one, as I see it, they need to catharize some of that frustration. What better way than beating up some gargoyles crafted from magic and rare minerals.

The gargoyles were tough, and they seem to absorb some faint energy from those around them, so they kept up their attack a bit longer than I anticipated. Alvanna blasted one to pieces with her combo of blades and 'Fus-Ro-Dah' whereas Celan and Tolan smashed the second with a consecutive blows of their hammer, common sense really, for creatures made of stone, it is always better to use blunt force than slashing weapons.

…

It didn't take long for us to find our way in. Because the lights were on. And the steel door that sealed the way in was rolled up by someone on the other side. Whoever was on the other side, they were probably well aware of our presence and what has transpired on here.

"You have come, Dragonborn." Everyone instinctively turned to Alvanna, as we saw the two rows of Draugrs in their dried bones and weathered armor. They were as run down as a shipwreck rotting at the bottom of the open sea, but they were organized, like they were one minded, and they were arranged in two perfect rows. It is not a battle formation, it's a welcoming.

The voice had came from a Draugr who wore much more refined armor than the rest, "Excuse our mess, the Vampires were trying to break in here, looking for… I presume you, my lady." He glanced at Serana.

"We kept them away because, what's inside here is for your eyes only, Dragonborn."

"For me? How did you know I was coming" Alvanna tried her best to act surprised, but I could tell this isn't the first time she encountered this situation. A normal person would be freaking out that a Draugr is talking to them right now. I don't have to look to imagine how colorless and mortified the guards and dawnguards' faces were.

"Yes, a word wall constructed at the time of our living." The Draugr nodded, "we were all awaken recently when you met Dungiskr at Bleak Falls Barrow, every one of us who are able to keep our wits after this many centuries are all ready"

"Ready for what?" I asked, not that the Draugr has acknowledged me yet. Matters little to me though, I am currently ogling these draugrs like the most interesting scientific specimen, marvelous necromancy results, or I guess they were from a tiem that magic hasn't had such an distinction yet.

The Draugr promptly ignored me.

"Yes, ready for what?" Alvanna asked.

"For your beckon and call, dragonborn, when the time is right." He led Alvanna to a site of relic and anthropological engraving at the back with the language of the dragons, Thu'um. "It is Zvala's pleasure of welcoming you dragonborn, now go forth and claim these words".

"HET NOK KOPRaaN DO ZVALA

WO PIRaaK MULaaG Wah KRiiN

DOVah NUZ NI GaaN Wah

KRiiN POGaaN"

The words seemed to glow a faint blue, and to me, that was all that they do, nothing more, nothing less. But it appeared to have shock Alvanna, and did much more to her. I could see her iris dilating and it is almost as if she just lost her consciousness, with her eyes open. I immediately raised my hand to inspect Alvanna with a spell, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Heartbeat was normal, blood pressure maybe on the higher side and the drinking seem to affect her liver to some extent, nothing that I don't expect.

"Wait, what's wrong, what did you do to her?" Serana had a worrying tone, also strange cuz she and Alvanna literally also just met. The concern was genuine, however.

"Not a thing, you needn't worry, She will come to soon, this is part of her identify as the last dragonborn, she has the power to have a glimpse of the times past to learn Thu'ums from word walls, much faster than us. Each one of us spent our whole life perfecting one whereas she will collect many. The ultimate champion who will defeat the world eater." The Draugr was rather nice to her, probably because he can also sense that Serana was worried about Alvanna. I don't think he was at all concerned about her being a vampire too.

I, on the other hand, has already taking out a large parchment, ready to transcribe the symbols I saw on the world wall. After all, one must simply keep a record of all curious creatures, relics and magical anomalies for the advancement of knowledge. I will document and translate as many lost secrets as possible, even if I have to do it all alone.

I didn't have to though, J'zargo is already preparing the special ink I will need to transfer the pattern onto this parchment. I didn't even have to ask.