Vahlok's Tale Chapter Two: Shouting at the Empty Sky


Two weeks prior to the First Rebellion

"….Please, I do not want to wish anything unreasonable of you-" A woman spoke, her voice full of concern and sadness.

"No, I see nothing wrong with my fate, there is nothing even you can do to change it." Replied a tall man, standing unexpressively.

"I…...I did not wish this upon you, but it was the only way to see if our experiment would work as….troubling as a person the first must be, and if the plan as well could." She said uncomfortably, and in much distress.

"All things require a beginning." He replied.

"I promise you all that I shall do my best. I do not wish to betray the Lady, but there is no other option to take than to see how best I can do with the gifts that you have shown me how to use." Added the man as he looked solemn.

"Are you not afraid of losing?" She asked.

"No, I gave up my family and my life the moment this was all decided. I can do no longer but only pray that Stuhn takes mercy on them. I do not wish of you to do so as well." He stated, his expression a mixture of emotions.

"Do not worry, you shall see the fruit of this become ripe, for better or worse. I promise you all I can bring down at least three. And for you if that is to happen the seeds of which you so desire will spread through the land and in the hearts of many that are brave. Do you think the peoples in the South will rise too once this is all over?" He asked calmly.

"Yes, yes we plan to free those over there as well. I…..Do not think this was entirely all wise. I wish there was another way but he insisted upon it to us all, I wish I could do more for you, for everyone." She said, on the verge of tears.

"Please, do not cry. You mustn't worry." He replied kindly. Unable to approach her.

"I enjoyed the time I was loyal before things changed, how the Priests treated people and alienated the overlords. I only wish is that I am incapable of making them understand, and that I cannot free those who suffer to the south, I only ask of you and the others is that they succeed." He requested.

"We shall do whatever it takes. I am so sorry Rhald my time here is only short and so limited, I thank you with all within me for doing this for us, and for me." She said once more. The man, Rhald, began to walk away.

"It is a vain hope of mine, that my actions for freedom will repeated throughout the world as it wakes and dreams onwards. Farewell, I do not know and do not ask where my soul shall end up." He stated lastly. He heard no reply.

She had left no clear trace of herself in this plain just below the Castle of Solitude.

The man donned his helm of the wolf and made multiple writings to those he wished would inspire to action. He bore no trouble within his heart as he declared his last action.

It all depended on those who would follow and improve in example.

He felt no ill will in his heart, even knowing the odds he had placed himself and his people against.


A week after the First Rebellion, outskirts of Castle Solitude

Three dragons laid dead outside the Castle's gates as skeletal remains. Their souls stripped, and leeched.

Alduin sought nothing but destruction of the defenders, but the defenders had learned how to use her language, the language of her kind only granted to the few that they trusted so much, to effectiveness.

There was only one choice, to send as many humans to wear them down, to hopefully make their way in the castle. She could not risk anymore dragons, she had not felt the feeling that ran through her now in such a long time, when she started all of this, a terrible feeling of uneasiness; and a sense of dread.

Her mind had become a chaotic festival of suspicions and thoughts that ran through her head as she attempted to figure the cause, the how of it all, and how she was supposed to proceed, for once since the time she took it upon herself to dominate the world.

Only one true thought reigned in Alduin's mind as she stared so many questions at one Dragon Priest, who only began to detect the nature of his own being, Miraak, who always carried that strange, unknown soul burned brighter than before, and now detected that some now dwelled in his.

She did not focus on him however. This 'rebellion' or so the Lord of Solitude called it, had to be ended without mercy. The five had caused great destruction to the defenses, but any large number of casualties that there could have been were not to be seen. Her brothers and sisters had rushed into a trap.

She ordered the zealous Rahgot with his devoted followers, and Hevnoraak who commanded near soulless thralls.

Their attack failed bitterly, they only reported a couple hundred enemy casualties while theirs were in the smaller thousands. They seemed shaken, not sure of how to handle their catastrophic failure before their lords.

Next then was Otar, who would be forever scarred by seeing all of his followers dead before him and came bag muttering the most incomprehensible things as the fighting had broken him.

Nahkriin went along with Otar, he had come out wounded, but claimed the greatest results. Another couple hundred dead enemies, and two breaches in the walls, the main gates were also seemingly abandoned after the attack of Otar.

The third wave would be Morokei, Vahlok, and Miraak. Who had now prepared their armies to press inwards.

With King Rhald ultimately cornered, Morokei assured Alduin and the rest of the Dragons that victory was assured.

With only a few hundred of the defenders left, but still very powerful. The three moved in, and began to head straight to the Palace.

Morokei devised a plan, while listening Miraak pondered the strange and unknown new powers he felt within his soul, and Vahlok was still left confused, and saddened.

"We crush our way through these rebels and reach this weak side of the inner wall that the others gave us an opening for!" Exclaimed Morokei as he pointed one out from the distance where the three stood.

"You are not concerned with Rhald having his….Shout using followers to flank us?" Asked Miraak. They heard Morokei laugh.

"Which is why you shall leave your best as defense!" Declared Morokei.

"Is that so you can cheat me out of my rewards!?" Miraak demanded angrily.

The tone caught the two alongside him off guard, it was unusual to act so blatantly disrespectful for him when he was rather quiet or roundabout about when he did it.

"Look here good Miraak, you make sure we win you get big rewards because you are part of the effort!" Morokei said warily, dancing around Miraak's hostile aura.

"….Fine. Useless to bicker with you." He growled.

"It is no bickering! It is the Morokei way of winning!" The Priest declared as he went to give a rought pat on Vahlok's back.

"And you should wear a mask with that expression you have!" Morokei laughed at him heartedly.

"We must be swift, Rhald will not be able to pull together if we punch through as quick as we can pierce that weakened wall. If we can get to him quickly that will be cause for the rest to surrender." Said Vahlok, focusing on the task at hand.

"Agreed." Said Miraak.

"Hmph! And you steal the rest of my plan before I even say it." Sighed Morokei.

"Oh well, let's get to it then! We'll Shout that wall apart!" He declared as Morokei kicked his horse into action.

The two halted as Morokei and his forces went first, time was not important to the two as Miraak spoke.

"Vahlok…..I do not feel the same anymore." He stated.

Vahlok regarded him neutrally as he stared at the squid-masked Priest.

"Alduin once told me once that I was special, I did not realize it until I came here." He stated. Vahlok offered no response.

"We must get going." Vahlok said suddenly, what was there for him to say when he was going against Rhald? A man once precious to him.

Miraak nodded. Disappointment and a forlorn expression was hidden in his mask.

Miraak had never formed any sort of bond with the newest of the Priests, yet he stood out among the rest for more so than the lack of a mask.

Miraak felt closest to Vahlok, he was the most foolish out of all those he had met and yet the one whom he considered equal to him.

And he himself was left wordless.

What was he? The question rang in Miraak's mind and soul.

The question drowned out in the movements of Vahlok's men.

Miraak made his move to join them.

As Vahlok rode alongside his closest, Jorralg he glanced over the bodies of the attackers before him, and of the dragons, unknowingly forever gone.
"It was all done with such ruthlessness, did we even try to ask Rhald why?" The young priests thoughts were conflicted towards the odd behavior Alduin conducted herself with now. She had seemed so distant.

"Jorralg, let us push through the defenders here, we will aid Morokei in blowing apart a weakened part of the Palace's inner wall. With that you and I shall make our way to Rhald. I intend to bring him to justice on behalf of our lords." Stated Vahlok to his friend. Jorralg nodded.

"Aye, I will do what I can with the men to keep them off of you as you go to Rhald, we cannot hold out against their Shouts for long I do not imagine." Jorralg replied honestly.

"That is fine, I just wish for enough time to deal with him. Please retreat if it goes wrong, make sure Morokei does not get isolated either." Responded Vahlok.

"Miraak has said he will ensure our protection as we move, trust him. You will be in sole charge soon." The Priest informed him.

Jorralg nodded.

"That is your wish. Good luck to you Vahlok, I expect to see you alive by the end of this." The bearded man responded.

"You as well Jorralg. We grow closer. For Alduin!" Announced Vahlok to his men as they joined Morokei's attack into the rebels, who had proved themselves a most fearsome foe unlike most they had seen in all their time, as evidenced by their unimaginable losses.

Utilizing his Shouts, Vahlok rushed to the forefront of the fighting.

"Keep me covered Vahlok! You make the better annoyance than I!" Jeered Morokei as struck a rebel down, who curiously did not use a Shout. Miraak had come to the front as well, for once in the time Vahlok knew him.

"Yol Toor!" Shouted a rebel as the flames washed over their heads. He was met with several arrows and a fireball.

"It seems that they do not all know Shouts, we are in luck." Jorralg said to nobody in particular as he held Vahlok's formation behind the three.

However Morokei's best warrior, Hakon was with him.

"It is curious that they know Shouts at all, their power frightens me and brings forth a good challenge." The red-haired nord stated to the bearded Jorralg.

"And yet this is the fault of our damn 'overlords' believing us to handle their mistake, and now look at them dead, and the rest of our gods cowering." Thought Hakon with a reaching anger.

"It seems that way Hakon. Nevertheless we must cut them down for the Priests and our Lords, they cannot have all of their Shout using troops respond at once, it seems that Morokei's plan is sound." Stated Jorralg as their men began to clear out the garrison around the weakened wall section.

The forces of Alduin's Dominion, terrified, swarmed into the garrison.

The Three Priests stood close to the weakened wall section as their men quickly secured the area and began to Shout at the section.

It collapsed and burnt away and was ultimately blasted apart to create a clearing for them to rush forwards from.

The Three Priests, with Morokei's and Vahlok's men, charged at the recuperating defenders. The fall of the Solitude rebellion was a matter of time.


Solitude, Palace's Chambers

"Vif. I must go." Stated King Rhald as he stared down at his wife. His heart a myriad of emotions, his countenance stoic.

"I know." She sobbed as she held him around his waist, holding him for what lasting moments there were.

He had put his gloved hands on her head.

"My only worries are for you and our daughter." He stated sadly.

She continued to sob.

"There is no going back. I am sorry." He replied, he leaned and gave her one final kiss.

She let go.

Her crying grew louder as he exited and began to walk down the hall.

A hole was torn into his chest.

"Kyne, I know you cannot grant them a happy life. But please do not fail us." He prayed as he walked on. The last tears he could ever shed fell few across his cheeks.

A good life was out of the question for his family the moment this was thrusted into this world.

"At least, Vahlok, how fares my daughter?" The question rang in his head as he descended down the stairs of his palace to proceed into a terrace.

A warrior came up the stairs to it, opposite of him.


Several months after Vahlok's instatement, Solitude, Palace Terace.

The two conversed as they walked around the serene garden.

The two liked to often speak to each other about the land, finding common ground and prayer with the other.

"Say Vahlok, with your age and especially your position you ought to have women line up for you. How many Concubines have you taken by now perchance?" Asked a much happier Rhald as was very much prodding for certain information out of him.

Vahlok regarded him stocially.

"Some have, I have no interest for what the others practice." He replied. The two walked some more

"I have a duty, I think of it first and a beautiful woman second." The young priest then stated.

"Hm. Similarly I only have a wife and a daughter close to your age." Said Rhald as he pressed the matter slyly.

"Would it be considered part of your duties if you approved a request from me?" Asked Rhald.
Vahlok saw where it was going, laughed and then met the man's eyes.

"It shall." He stated.

"Would you like to meet my daughter? I do believe she would get along with you well." He stated.

Vahlok smiled at the man with a kind gaze and laughed.

He accepted.


The two now stood opposite of each other in this terrace. Rhald glanced over the bloodied Vahlok as he approached.

"Why?" Asked Vahlok as he breathed.

Rhald stopped himself several feet away from the Dragon Priest.

"There was no other choice." He stated calmly and impersonally to him as Rhald sized up Vahlok.

Rhald's expression was akin to a sad father.

"What did you intend Rhald?" Demanded Vahlok.

"Freedom." Replied Rhald as he stood in his full suit of armor.

"From who? Lord Alduin? And what has she done!?" Retorted Vahlok.

"It is not just her at fault Vahlok. It is the Priests, the other dragons who drove me to this. Vahlok, whatever happens next know that you were merely too good for them." Stated Rhald with little emotion.

"Rhald….What do you intend with all of this!?" He exclaimed, refusing his betrayal.

Rhald pulled his sword.

"What is best." He stated, and then opened his mouth.

"Krii Lun Aus!" Shouted Rhald.

"Wuld Nah Kest!" Shouted Vahlok as he dodged Rhald's Shout by a mere second. Instantly he was charged at by Rhald.

Rhald thrusted his blade and stepped backwards before Vahlok could properly reply.

His armor absorbed an ice spike from Vahlok, who stared at him. A look hurt and rage across his expression.

"Please, just give up!" Vahlok begged as Rhald intended to aim for his head with his blade.

"Su Grah Duun!" Shouted Rhald, he began a wild of fury of strikes that Vahlok could not keep up with.

"Fus Ro Dah!" Emanated Vahlok, sending Rhald flying backwards some feet. He quickly rose up and panted as he faced Vahlok.

"By Stuhn Rhald! Do you have any idea what you are doing to yourself!?" Vahlok yelled. Scared for the man in front of him.

"It is of no concern to anyone, all that matters is of what happens after this Vahlok." Stated Rhald as he gathered his breath.

"You must do the best you can for Alduin in the coming times Vahlok, they will cast the light over the illusion." He orated. Vahlok shook his head, there was pity.

"I shall apprehend you Rhald, and then explain to Lord Alduin why!" Yelled Vahlok as he charged towards Rhald, intending to wear the King down.

The two's blades met each other again and again as they tried to aim lethally for each of their lives, Vahlok's were more to keep Rhald exerting himself, going on the defensive once more as to get the edge.

"Krii Lun Aus!" Shouted Rhald as he engaged Vahlok.

The Shout hit and Vahlok felt a great pain unlike any other.

"This-This is what it feels like." He thought in his state of extreme hurt.

However he kept himself strong, he took it and backed off.

And then immediately closing in on Rhald.

However, Vahlok's intention was not to attack.

"Zun Haal Viik!" He Shouted and Rhald's weapon went flying, Vahlok punched him and placed his blade against his throat.

"You have won. I surrender, Vahlok." He stated, defeated.

Vahlok quickly went behind him and then placed the tip of his blade against his armored back.

"Move Rhald, save the lives of your people." Stated Vahlok with pity.

Rhald began to move, his hands at his sides as he spoke.

"In dragon society, power equals truth Vahlok." Stated Rhald.

"Do not speak nonsense!" Said Vahlok as the two began to descend the Terrace.

"I could no longer not see the reality of our world Vahlok. It is as it is." He replied to Vahlok as the two approached into the main courtyard, where troops of the two were fighting.

"Mid Vur Shaan!" Shouted Vahlok's signature Shout as he aimed into the air to gather the attention of all.
Rhald's men largely fell to their feet in surrender, the Dominion's warriors started to round them up as they proceeded.

The scene was shared again and again as the two moved through the Castle.

Eventually, Vahlok put away his sword.

"One day Vahlok, they shall see the beauty of the world so long as your kind is around." He stated sadly.

"Rhald, I asked you to cease it." Vahlok said, tired and saddened. He felt a terrible pain in his chest that did not emit from his battle wounds.

"Make sure that Alduin does not lose sight of herself Vahlok." Was the last thing he heard Rhald say as the two continued to walk.

Morokei and Miraak approached.

"I, Morokei have won us the day!" The priest cheered as he taunted a Rhald that didn't even acknowledge him.

"Miraak, how do you fare?" Rhald asked suddenly as the four marched to Alduin and the other priests and dragons that awaited them.

Miraak was disturbed by the question.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sneered Miraak.

"You have the weight of the gods upon you, do not end up like me. I wish you use what has been given to you well." Rhald said, defeated.

Miraak made no reply, bewildered.

"He knows." He thought, but Miraak did not know the extent of his knowledge, or was even aware of his own self.

Miraak made motion to strike Rhald but Vahlok raised a pleading hand.

To which Miraak recoiled his fist, as he glared at Vahlok.

Morokei was silent, not up to his usual humor and mischeif as he walked along. But then again, Morokei never liked to speak in the language of anything not dovahzul.

"I fought for the freedom of my people and my own self, I feel pride for trying, but the regret strikes me all the same." He stated as they drew closer and closer to Alduin.

"He rambles." Laughed Morokei in Dovahzul. But Miraak and Vahlok did not share the sentiment.

"I wish my family a good life, I hope all three of you can take good care of them." He stated.

Vahlok choked.

Alduin sat as a mortal on a chair to the front of them. Paarthunax was behind her as Wuthdeinkinbok, Odahviing, Faaskunven, and Lokyolkriaan stood at her sides.

Their fellow Priests, the ones who had not gone in to fight, welcomed them.

Vahlok approached with Rhald in front of him. Miraak and Morokei followed closely behind.

Rhald stopped in front of Alduin and bowed.

"Lord Alduin, you look well." He stated neutrally, as he stood right in front to her.

"Rhald has chosen to surrender." Vahlok reported as he stood to the side of him.

Alduin merely glared at Rhald, who looked at her and Paarthunax.

"And what, do I ask is the cause of this pathetic madness?" Alduin asked, with anger in her voice. A threatening aura that none could ignore permeated from her.

Rhald looked indifferent. Yet locked eyes.

"The will for freedom." He replied.

"Freedom?" She questioned, barely concealing her anger.

"For one to walk alone as an individual that shall never belong to the will of one who thinks is purely superior." He replied. Ramblings to those around him. Yet Miraak listened, and Paarthunax stared.

"That is no answer, where did you learn Shouts?" She questioned again.

"From the ones who wished me to be free." He stated.

A minute of silence passed as Alduin's mind thought hundreds of different things at once.

"And yet, in the end you lost!" She exclaimed.

"Did you not think of what you would lose, fool!" She yelled once more.

"I had given it up the moment I could decide my own fate, even if moved to it." He replied sadly. He seemed disappointed.

"Why? Why would they!?" She roared, clenching her fists in pure unbridled anger.

Rhald then grabbed Vahlok's sword from his hilt as he stood petrified, everyone around went to aim weapons at Rhald but stopped when Alduin raised a hand to stop as his blade was pointed close to her throat.

"If you wish to kill me then do it." She declared, her eyes boring into Rhald's soul.

Rhald held a small, sorrowful smile, visible only to the two in front of him.

"My dragon lords. You all have kept saying again and again that power equals truth." Said Rhald as he kept the blade pressed against her.

"I do not believe in it. You all have might and possess what could be a noble spirit someday and I wish I could have been close to any of you to make you see." He stated as all dared not to reply.

"I respected you all, I could not take the enslavement of having to sacrifice my own people to the priests each week, I wish that in another life I could have shown my point without this, but I had no choice in the end either as much as I desired otherwise." He stated, Alduin's wide eyes glared with fire.

"There shall never be change like this, we are stuck in an endless cycle of decay." He stated

"Lord Alduin, Lord Vahlok. I am sorry, despite all that has been done, I am genuine in my repentance." He stated.

King Rhald then brought his blade to his neck in a flash and slit his own throat.

A spurt of blood landed on Alduin's face as Rhald fell down, lifeless. An aura of horror spread among those that stood.

"King Rhald in his selfish, mad lust for power over his lords died in the end." She declared, standing from her chair.

She could hardly process all that had happened, Rhald had been a lifelong supporter to her, a thought rang in her head again and again.
"Why?"

"Everyone aside from Vahlok and Paarthunax, depart now!" She announced with a fierce, broken expression full of wild emotion.

She stared downwards at the floor, blinked and cursed silently as Vahlok still stood, utterly shaken to his core as his father in-law lied dead.

"Vahlok." Alduin said suddenly as Paarthunax came to her side.

"What is it that you sought in me that day we met you?" She asked him redundantly as she looked down at the body of Rhald.

"I had said that day and all those other times, that I would follow you if you could unite skyrim and bring peace to it. Now I wish for strife to end, chaos." He stated as he went on his knee.

Alduin stared out in the far distance past him.

"I wish to see your glory far and wide." He said once more.

Alduin looked into the sky, closed her eyes, looked down and opened them at Vahlok.

"I see. You give me a reminder of what to strive towards as always Vahlok." She stated and then grew an uncertain look.

"Vahlok, Brother. Are we-" She stopped herself and breathed deeply.

"Vahlok. Which reward do you seek?" She asked him.

"I wish to take his men so that they do not die and if his fam-"
"Morokei and Miraak have asked me of a reward for the battle previously. Morokei shall take his wife and Miraak his daughter." She said as she stared out.

Vahlok stood horrified.
Paarthunax, who had yet to say anything. Showed disappointment.

"It is all I can do, Vahlok. No mercy must be shown, an example must be made." She replied.

"If not for them, everything would begin to fall apart." She stated.

A feeling of uncertainty arose.

"Lord Alduin." He said, full of concern as she looked at him once more.

"I shall do my best. All those who betray you, shall be my staunchest enemy." He stated as he bowed. A heavy feeling bore down upon him.

"She only entertains your ideas of peace, she will not bring it Vahlok" The words of Miraak haunted him. Yet he looked into the gold eyes of his lord.

He would carry the weight of this world Alduin had worked to make with him, in all it's flaws.

He departed, taking on the role of the one who would protect the crumbling world.

He swore an oath to it all within his soul.


Alduin had outright refused to talk with any of the other priests on the matter afterwards. However she particularly ignored Miraak, out of a certain rage and disgust not entirely directed at him.

She recognized him for who he was now, a leech.

She now stood alongside Paarthunax, who looked full of sorrow.

"Sister." He said.

Alduin regarded him.

"What?" She questioned.

"We must ask them." He stated.

Alduin gave a most incredulous growl.

"And what, be berated by 'Father' for not following the role I abandoned due to his own earlier urging in the first place!? And what was agreed with Lorkhan or, as he dare changed into Shor suggested?" She laughed.

"Ridiculous, it is utterly worthless, pathetic! I did what I wanted to do, and now he seeks to turn the mortals against us?" She yelled with her whole soul.

"Sorrow, it is not just him sister." Paarthunax stated calmly.

"I know that! I should have known, that the very same who...who slaughtered Lorkhan would have done this to me as well! And now I must control this…..This land!" She declared.

"Alduin, you are growing ever weaker." Summarized Paarthunax, he felt pain within his soul, and began to purge the idea.

"Should we not leave once more?" He asked.

"Never, never! I have started something I can never abandon, what I have done for our kind is wonderful and is something none other can repeat!" She retorted with an unbridled passion in her words.

"And you shall do whatever it takes! Everyone shall!" She declared madly.

"Alduin…..Force is…." He stopped himself.

"Brother what is it that you are trying to say? It is simple that we survive and triumph without mercy no matter how many the others try to throw at us." She replied calmly and compassionately in comparison to herself moments ago as her brother struggled.

"No, you are right." Replied Paarthunax, who lied to her.

"We are no gods." He wished he could have said to her.

The two ended soon after.

Their hearts were heavy with trouble, and there was a decision they must reach.


Some weeks after the first Rebellion

Miraak had not heard anything from Alduin or even his current sponsor, Geindokun; the husband of Faaskunven who he had not heard from either.

No dragon had come to visit him to console him about his strange new ability, he felt isolated and confused. A resentment within him grew.

No amount of comfort from fellow man or that of what a woman offered to him could satisfy a desire rising desire to lash out, in a manner of which he did not understand himself.

Desperate, he prayed often for the knowledge to come across him of what he was.

Then one day as he had made a sacrifice to the dragon gods, he saw an old, frail man fall onto the floor in front of him.

Miraak felt strangely drawn to this old man.

He walked over and helped him stand up, he had a horrid and withered old face.

Already Miraak felt regret just from looking at him.

"Thank you, greatest of all Miraak." He stated.

"I care not for you old oaf." He replied casually, but held where he was, a certain curiosity crept upon him.

"I hear that…..Alduin has not explained to you of your powers out of fear." The old man stated flatly.

"….I should sacrifice you along with the rest that have already gone for saying that." Miraak retorted casually.

"Are you not curious? Even the rest do not answer your cries for the answer to your own being." The old man said, staring at Miraak with his dull green eyes.

"Am I not supposed to be?" Miraak asked a redundant question.

"Of course not, this is something I am curious of myself. What if I told you that I have lived long in these lands and have gathered much information as I lived amongst your kind and the dragons?" The old man asked, his hooded rags protecting him from falling snow.

"I am listening." Said Miraak as he stared down the old man who grinned with missing teeth.

"I am a scholar, I have written a book on Shouts and how the dragons use them…..Including some hidden lore that I believe may show you your answer." The old man suggested.

"Show me this book." Miraak demanded.

The Old Man grinned and reached into his ragged robes, he procured a black book.
"You may make wonderful use of it, did you know that Vahlok is the only one of you to have created his own Shout? Alduin favored him well." He stated as he held out the book.

Miraak felt a strong desire to utter 'Begone' but he never opened his mouth to say it.

The desire to break free and humiliate Alduin and the dragon's prides grew ever stronger.

Miraak grabbed it.

The Old Man's grin grew bigger.

"So be it." He stated.

"Mortals so love their weapons of war and murder, but you are especial, aren't you Miraak? You have something to reveal to me as well."


The warrior known as Hakon, now called the "One-Eye" due to a bad engagement with a Shout using warrior now sat contemplatively over a message he had just heard.

The Elder of the village he grew up in asked him for aid as they and several others revolted against the Priests, and by extension, their dragon gods.
He had seen what Rhald had done to himself.

He died a warrior's death in the end, one that only a Nord could have in this life. And it was Alduin and the cult who shamed him for it.

Taking up his axe, he left with some of Morokei's men and joined the rebellion to make a stand against the cruel nature of the priests and the uncaring, aloof dragons.

It would be the sovngarde of Shor or victory.

He would need the wisdom to achieve the latter.

The sort a man like Hakon One-Eye could only use as a weapon.


Paarthunax flew up to the mountain that would be known as the 'Throat of the World' to think to himself as he usually would whenever Alduin would come at a rough crossroads in her path as they flew onward in this world, ever since they came from that accursed land in the far east.

He perched up upon the tallest peak and looked up towards the sky and asked a simple question as his tiredness consumed him.

"How many shall die now?" He asked to no response.

"Sister once said to me that our voices were used to symbol our unparalleled strength. That we were to dominate and rule over all those who were not dragon." He stated loudly.

"Your….Warrior believed that we could have had harmonious nature with one another. It may be impossible yet… I cannot stand bloodshed." He said as he looked up into the sky.

And then, he heard the distant sounds of a voice.

And then he heard a voice that belonged from none other than Alduin to his east.

Alduin stood in an empty field as a dragon, splaying herself outwards to the sky as she stared out into the cloudless void.

With her eyes red with a burning inferno, she cursed several names and shouted at an empty sky.


End of Vahlok's Tale Chapter 2

Also wanted to say that I have now fixed Molag Bal's name in Chapter 1 of the side story, woops on that.