Kratos and his troops set off early in the morning. As always he set a hard pace as they made their way in the direction of Kynesgrove. The time passed uneventfully and the well-maintained roads close to Windhelm eased the initial portion of their march. They continued for the entire day, taking only brief breaks and often eating on the move, as they hoped to reach Kynesgrove some 45 miles distant before the sun went down.

They approached the town with the sun still above the horizon. Kratos slowed their pace as they passed into the village proper. They drew some worried glances from the citizenry as they passed. People cleared the street and many hurried inside unsure of who they were and unfamiliar with the strange red symbol and the red war paint on their faces. Kratos quickly spied the sign for the Braidwood Inn, which he had learned of in Windhelm. He led his men up to the inn and then turned to face them.

"We set a fair pace today. We will rest tonight and begin our proper hunt for the renegades tomorrow." He paused briefly before continuing, "Here we will have no incidents. Follow." With that Kratos led the way into the inn, his troops conversing in low tones as they entered. There were a fair amount of people in the common room; conversations drifted off and tankards paused in their journey as Kratos and his party came into the inn. Kratos immediately approached the woman behind the bar, "This is your establishment?"

The woman nodded slowly, eyeing him and his soldiers, "Aye, I am Iddra and this is my inn."

"We require lodging. And food." He glanced down to his right where Lydia had taken up her customary place.

"Well, we can certainly arrange for that. What exactly would you like?"

Kratos let out a small grunt and turned to Lydia, who, after a quick glance at him, smoothly stepped in. "We can work out the details." Kratos nodded to her in thanks and went and sat down at one of the long tables. He almost did not notice and certainly did not care when they only other person sitting at the table, after a few surreptitious glances in his direction decided that they should sit elsewhere. The noise in the common room slowly increased again, Kratos' soldiers barely adding to it, as they spoke in low voices to avoid spooking the locals.

Kratos sat at the table in silence. He could almost feel… something. It was as if there was some menacing presence or someone was watching him. He could feel it prickling at the edges of his awareness and the sensation was growing stronger. He closed his eyes and followed his meditative breathing routine, focusing on this feeling, seeking to understand it.

While he was thus occupied, Lydia having made her arrangements with the proprietress of the inn came and sat next to him. She did not let out a satisfied noise as she sat down, despite the long march and the changes in elevation it had entailed. She let out a tiny sigh; she certainly was tired. It was good that they could use Kynesgrove as a staging area. Another night's sleep in a bed would be good for all of them. Except for Kratos. She was convinced that he could sleep on broken glass and be completely unfazed.

She turned to look at him, now noting his breathing pattern, "My thane, is something amiss?" He opened his eyes slowly and looked at her.

After a few moments he murmured, "I do not know. I can sense… something. I know not what." He trailed off into silence.

Lydia was quiet for a moment as well. Perhaps it was simply that he was in close proximity to too many people, she knew that he preferred the solitude and silence of the wilds. "Perhaps it would help to step out and take the air?" Kratos was quiet for a moment before nodding to her. He stood and proceeded to leave with Lydia in his wake. As they passed, most of their soldiers heads shot up and tracked them. Lydia held out a hand and gently lowered it when several of them began to rise, prompting them to slowly sit back down.

Kratos and Lydia stepped out into the evening; the sun was dipping near to the horizon now. Kratos felt more at ease, but the sense of presence was still there. He took a deep breath and focused on it, narrowing it in his mind to something… directional. Lydia looked quizzically after him as he began walking east, she took a deep breath and started after him on tired legs.

Kratos stopped and turned to her. "I do not know what is here. But I feel I should seek it." She nodded to him. "You may go and rest if you wish."

Lydia's brows drew down into a quick frown and she shook her head, "No, my thane. I will follow you. I have faith in your impressions."

Kratos' face eased imperceptibly, "Good. Then come." Kratos set off again, much faster this time, heading straight into the wild and wooded foothills to the east of the village. Lydia followed without hesitation, not noticing at first that it was if her fatigue had been wiped away, keeping pace with her thane. Kratos felt an increasing sense of urgency and stepped up his pace has the sun finally set leaving everything painted in the bright grey twilight hour.

At the upper edge of his periphery, Kratos saw movement- a dragon was sweeping down. He recognized instantly it's jet-black hide and jagged horns and his lips drew slowly back in a snarl as he lost sight of the beast through the trees. He could still sense the direction though, that same pressure had drawn him from the inn earlier. He and Lydia pounded forward through the thinning forest towards what they believed to be the dragon's destination.

Up ahead they heard an enormous voice toll out like a bell of untold depth and the earth over which they ran began to tremble slightly. Kratos continued heedless of the sound and rumble. Only a few minutes later they burst from the trees into a clearing. Before them was an enormous dragon skeleton that appeared to have just clawed its way out of the earth. It was shaking loose dirt and stones off of itself as veins, muscle and flesh began to stretch across the bones, reaching from nowhere to reanimate the beast. The great black dragon hovered over the clearing, the blasts of wind from his gargantuan wings flattening the grass below him. The black dragon was speaking in an unknown tongue and its shimmering red eyes glared down at a defiant figure below him who stood yelling back, a war axe in each fist.

At the incredible sight before her, Lydia slowed, jaw dropping open, awed by what she saw. Kratos instead let out a bark of anger and blurred forward, feet slamming into the earth like iron pistons. He approached the partially reformed dragon on the ground from the side and leapt, legs surging, sailing an incredible distance through the air and landed on the dragon's back. His massive legs flexed again, hurling him skyward in an impossible arc as he used the semi-skeletal dragon as a springboard to launch himself.

Kratos heard Lydia call is name in shock and the wind ripping past his ears as he rocketed up through the air. He whipped his axe off his back and raised it above and behind his head, soaring through the sky, entire body arched in preparation for a titanic blow. The dragon reacted instantly however and with an enormous beat of its inky, clawed wings it shot up higher. Kratos saw it open its cottage-sized gaping, fanged maw and roared back his own defiance as the dragon spoke, "FUS RO DAH!


Sigrunn was not having a particularly good day, or even a particularly good week. She simply hadn't been sleeping well, not that this was now particularly high on her list of reasons why she was not enjoying today. The first spot on that list was currently occupied by the colossal black dragon that was hovering above her, second place went to the still partially skeletal dragon clawing its way out of the ground, and third went to the woman hiding off to her right in the bushes. Unlike reasons one and two, Delphine wasn't trying to kill her. She was just a massive bitch.

Sigrunn stood tall beneath the beating wings of the great black dragon, the buffets of air causing the loose braid she held long golden hair in to whip about behind her. She turned her head sharply and saw a man come sprinting out of the woods unbelievably fast and then – "Dibella's tits!" she burst out, as the man jumped onto the recently dead dragon's back and then exploded off of it and launched himself at the black terror in the sky above her. For a moment she believed that she was about to witness something truly miraculous, before the man was hurled back to earth by the great dragon's shout.

She winced at the thunderous sound of the man's meteoric impact and also heard a cry of rage from the direction he had originally come. She was more concerned though by the next words the beast spoke before flying off into the night, "Sahlokniir, kill them, then return to me." Right. Back to business. Her lips drew back from her teeth in a snarl and she whirled to face the threat fully. Frustrated with herself for allowing the strangeness of the situation to paralyze her, she burst into action.

She focused her mind and dragon soul and spoke, imposing her will on reality, "Wuld!" She shot forward in a blur, ending her rush in a spinning leap that brought her war axes blasting into the neck of the still disoriented dragon with all the force of her thu'um powered charge. The impact threatened to tear the weapons from her grip, but she managed to retain them as the dragon lurched back in pain. Sigrunn took advantage of the opportunity to take a breath and bark out "Su Grah Dun!" She smiled as the shout took hold, speeding her limbs and giving her reflexes supernatural quickness. She leapt forward, a cyclone of whirling metals chewing into the dragon's neck and shoulder.

Sigrunn dove to the side to avoid a wild swipe of Sahloknir's talons, instantly rolling to her feet. She looked up to see that the dragon had reared up and was looking down at her from the top of its lengthy neck. She sprinted to the side as the beast let out a screech and blast of flame. Only a quick shout carried her away quick enough to avoid any more than some charring of one of the sleeves of her scale armor. Sahloknir's massive head dove down for her, toothy maw gaping wide. She spun away at the last instant, still empowered by her thu'um, and layed open a couple new gashes in reply.

She heard a woman's scream of rage come hurtling in and saw an unfamiliar figure in steel armor come charging in from the side, her sword set almost like a lance as she slammed into the dragon's side. Sahloknir's head reared back and he spun to attack this new threat. Sigrunn grinned at the distraction and moved to attack before she realized her error. Her eyes widened as she caught the dragon's tail tip in her peripheral vision and dove immediate to the side, which was all that saved her. It was only a glancing blow, but it struck her with immense force, caught at her armor and hurled her through the air. She hit the ground hard, air exploding from her lungs. She immediately lunged to her feet again, only for a leg to give out and fall to her knees again. Using one axe to push herself back to her feet she jogged back towards the fight.

A sudden roar made Sigrunn stumble in surprise. Turning she saw the same pale man come pounding towards the dragon. He rushed in, ducking beneath a swinging talon and slammed his axe into the dragon's neck where it stuck. He released the axe to dodge a frantic flurry of swings from the beast's talons. The beast's attention was locked on the ashen-skinned crazy man, so Sigrunn circled slightly to come back in from the side and increased her pace.

The dragon struck like a snake, snapping at the man, who – did he just step to the side and punch a dragon? – the force of the blow rocked the dragon's head to the side and she could hear the meaty thump of his fist slamming into it. He landed another punch but then jumped to the side as the dragon unleashed another gout of flame. Sigrunn ran and slid under the beast's wing, coming back up to her feet near where the man's axe was stuck in the dragon's neck, like a lumberjack's axe embedded in a too large tree. Her focus narrowed to the axe itself, to the exclusion of almost all else. She felt that power within her swell, begging her to speak, command creation, and change reality with will and word. She took a deep breath and shouted, her thu'um tearing out of her throat, her human form barely able to contain it. "FUS RO DAH"

The close blast of force caught the axe stuck in the beast and rammed it through the dragon's neck, sending it flying free, leaving trails of gore in its wake. The dragon tried to scream but only managed a spluttering gurgle from the rent in its neck. It began to thrash wildly, splattering blood across the meadow in swaths. Sigrunn immediately fell back, content to let the beast bleed to death. She saw the pale man retreat as well, joined shortly by the woman she saw enter the battle earlier. After a few more spattering wheezes and moments of panicked thrashing the dragon finally lay still in the blood churned field.

Sigrunn waited, breathing deeply, for what she knew was about to come. The dragon seemed to glow as if lit by an internal flame. Its hide and flesh began to slowly flake away and float into the air like fine particles of ash, before, in a rush, the flesh was consumed in the same manner but that internal glow rushed out and enveloped Sigrunn. Her hair blew in an eldritch wind and she felt a rush power, her fatigue wiped away, her mind clear, as if reality itself had somehow been slightly out of focus before, but now she could experience it properly. The light went as quickly as it came, leaving only the bones behind, alone once more.

Kratos placed a hand on Lydia's shoulder, "You are well?"

She nodded quickly, "Yes, thane. But you, are you alright? When that dragon – I, I was – " She trailed off when he raised his other hand slightly.

"I am fine. Death is inconvenient. I do not plan to repeat it." He gave her shoulder a tiny squeeze and went to fetch his axe, leaving Lydia staring after him, mouth agape. Kratos walked across the field of blood spattered, trampled grass in an unerring line precisely to where his axe landed. He retrieved it quickly, giving several abrupt shakes to cast off some of the mud and blood. He turned and went back towards the blonde woman. She stood, arms crossed, as a shorter, smaller and older brunette woman with a sour face spoke to her. He saw her eyes mark him as he approached.

Kratos ignored the uninteresting one, "You. What do you know of the black dragon?"

She turned to him and cocked an eyebrow, as she looked up at him, "The big bastard? Well, he apparently can raise other dragons from the dead. Now who are you and how are you not dead? I saw that hit you took. You should be dead, not running about punching dragons." She threw a hand in the air, "You punched a dragon!"

Kratos was silent for a moment, "The dragon. What else do you know?"

The sour woman interjected then, "Say nothing. We don't know who they are or who they might be working for."

Kratos' gaze fell upon her and his eyes narrowed. He did not so much as twitch a muscle, but she took a small step back, her hand tightening on the grip of her sheathed sword.

Sigrunn rolled emerald eyes before looking over at her, "Come off it, Delphine." The woman let out a hiss when Sigrunn used her real name. Sigrunn turned back to Kratos, "We don't know. We came here following a hunch trying to learn more about the dragons. Now you know what we do." Kratos let out a grunt and said nothing. Sigrunn glanced at Lydia who had joined Kratos in the interim, before looking back to him, "I am Sigrunn. It was a pleasure to fight alongside you both."

Kratos let out a low rumble, "I am Kratos. She is Lydia." He paused before continuing, "What occurred at the dragon's death?"

Sigrunn shrugged before answering, "I am not entirely certain. I am dragonborn. I absorb some sort of energy or life force from defeated dragons." She rubbed at the back of her neck, "Some say it is the dragon's souls I take. Whatever it is though, I feel the stronger for it"

Kratos grunted, "Then what it is, is irrelevant." He scratched at his beard, "I too am seeking information about the great black dragon. I propose that we pool information."

Sigrunn's green eyes narrowed, "I don't even know who you are." She relaxed some, shifting her weight to one hip, "But you did help me here. I'll ask around about you and send word if we accept."

Kratos nodded, "Acceptable. Then we are done here." He turned back to Lydia, "Come. We are going."

She ducked her head briefly, "Yes, thane." Kratos set off immediately with Lydia following after. They set a slower pace on the way back towards Kynesgrove, walking through the darkening woods and crisp alpine air of Eastmarch. They travelled for a time in silence before Lydia broke it, "Kratos… what did you mean you do not plan to repeat death?" Lydia thought she saw his shoulders stiffen, but it may have simply been a trick of the failing light. She waited for a time, walking in silence, growing more convinced that he would not answer her.

His rough voice startled her when it cut through the dark trees, "I meant what I said. Death is not pleasant." Now it was her turn to be quiet as she processed that. As impossible as it sounded she was quite certain he was speaking literally. He was not a man given to metaphor or hyperbole. But this? It seemed like a mad trick of Sheogorath. They continued on their way, the only sounds to occasional snap of a fallen twig beneath their boots.

"Then you… have died?"

He nodded, "Twice. Yes." She saw his hand come up to gently touch the large scar in the center of his abdomen. Lydia stumbled, jaw dropping open, before shaking her head and trying to get a hold of herself.

"I have seen you fight. And you just shrugged off that dragon's shout. Who could possibly have beaten you, let alone killed you?" Kratos let out a small snort, the kind that Lydia now equated with what would have been a chuckle from anyone else. His face suddenly seemed even more somber that usual.

"Both a god and my father."

Lydia stopped dead, "By the Nine!" Kratos stopped and turned back to look at her. "How are you alive?"

"I found death did not suit me, so I came back."

Lydia swallowed, "And this god… and your fa–"

"Dead" he grated out. "By my hand." His face was black with anger, "Just as he slew his father before him." She said nothing, examining his face. His countenance clouded further and his lips drew back in a silent snarl, "This" he said, striking his own chest, "is who you follow, girl." He took a pace towards her, "A kinslayer!" he spat, his voice increasing in volume, "A twice-dead and bloody god cast from his home!" Lydia's eyes widened, she knew it! She knew he was an aedra! She remembered the portentous weight of his cry 'I AM WAR!' and began realize the full depth of that declaration. Kratos took another step forward, hands flexed and clenching at air; he was nearly shouting, "I bring destruction and death!"

Lydia took the final step forward and squared up to the titan before her. "Enough!" she cried, with a chop of her hand, "Enough!" She pointed a finger at him, "I will tell you what you have brought! You have brought new life to Havverfjord. You have defended Whiterun hold and its people! For all of your self-recrimination I have never seen you turn away from someone helpless or in need. You are strong and grim and fair." Her voice softened, "I have said this before, but perhaps now you will believe me. I do not know who or what you were before, but I have seen who you are. If you are a bloody god, then I am your red right hand!"

The stood like that for a time, both poised and tense, eyes locked before Kratos seemed to deflate. He stepped away and sat on a nearby fallen log, resting his elbows on his knees and staring out into the darkness that had blanketed the world. After a moment, Lydia followed and rested a hand on his shoulder, before quietly asking, "Are you really a god?"

"I am, girl." He let out a soft snort of amusement, turned his head and looked up at her, "And you are my red right hand."

She smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze, before letting go. "Well then. Your right hand is hungry. It has been a day." Perhaps as shocking as learning of his divinity was the short bark of a laugh he let out.

"Very well." He said, standing, "it is past time we were back at the village." They set off again through the dark trees in a comfortable silence.

"Does this mean I need to start saying 'By the Ten?'"

"Please do not."


Soon enough they could see the lights of Kynesgrove peaking between the black trees. They were nearing the town when Kratos raised his fist as a sign to halt. He waited a moment feeling eyes on them before a figure with a drawn bow stepped out of the shadows. Kratos and Lydia instantly relaxed, recognizing one of their soldiers.

"Thane, housecarl, welcome back." The sentry let out a whistled signal, "We saw you leave and not knowing what prompted your departure, decided to put out a watch."

Kratos nodded to him, "I commend your preparation."

"We are still packed and prepared, thane. Do we move tonight?" His eyes shone earnestly in the light of the newly risen moon.

Kratos shook his head, "No. We stay here tonight. What danger there was has passed." Two more sentries came rippling out of the shadowed undergrowth to join them. Kratos closed his eyes for a moment and extended his senses, not focusing on hearing but on something else, almost a feeling. After a moment he opened his eyes again. "We will not be bothered. Go in with the others. I would have all of us be sufficiently rested for the hunt tomorrow." He had felt it. The axe. Just brushing the edge of his perception. He could not call to it. Perhaps being pulled into this realm had frayed his connection to the Leviathan Axe. He exhaled slowly and hoped that proximity would repair that link once he found it.

Kratos went down into the town, Lydia and the sentries following after him. He returned to the inn and noticed almost everyone inside start when the door opened. Slowly conversation resumed as Kratos and the others settled. Kratos returned and sat again at the bar. The innkeeper swept up to him, "Did you see anything out there? We heard an awful commotion, and… Well you know. These days you can't be too careful with all the strange happenings. Cultists on the ground, dragons in the sky and civil war all around."

Kratos paused briefly before replying, "No. You have no cause for concern." The innkeeper gave him a nod of thanks and bustled off. He sat for a moment more before turning to Lydia and saying, "I am retiring for the night." He glanced at the soldiers who were joking with each other over tankards of mead, "Don't let them do anything foolish." Lydia murmured her assent and he stood to leave. It had been a long enough day.

AN: A big thank you to all those who reviewed. I really appreciate the feedback. Apologies to the Guest reviewers that I can't reply to directly. Sorry, guys you have to make do with a general thank you.