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Dragonborn and Vanadis – Chapter 17
"Is this the place?"
Fenris was looking upon the Temple of Mosha, a modest churchlike structure along with everyone else. The main members of the group were himself, Ellen, Tigre and Regin. The rest include Bertrand, Rurick and six other soldiers.
"Yes."
Regin replied as she inspected the temple. There were ornaments on the walls and small cracks on the pillars; the temple likely being hundreds of years old.
After Ellen give two soldiers the order to keep watch, everyone else entered the temple but Fenris. He stayed outside for a few moments.
"Something doesn't feel right…"
Fenris made use of his Life Detect and his instincts on the way to the temple, but he has sensed nothing dangerous. Despite this, he still had a feeling that something was off.
"Fenris, come on." He heard Ellen's shout from the temple."
"Coming." Fenris replied as he entered the temple and saw it was empty except for a well-designed statue of a woman on a base. Fenris could see that the people of Brune view Mosha as a beautiful being.
As Regin approached the statue, she asked for assistance in supporting the statue. Tigre and Fenris obliged and held on the statue as Regin drew her dagger.
She moved a part of the floor away near the base of the statue and put her hand in it. It was then everyone heard a loud click.
'A mechanism?' Fenris thought as Regin then asked him and Tigre to move the statue forward carefully.
Despite its size and weight, the two were able to move it with some effort and were in awe along with everyone else of what they saw.
Beneath the statue was a set of stone stairs that leads deeply to the ground and would lead to Saint-Groel. Everyone was tense except for Fenris, who been already been such situations before.
It was only though Regin's calm voice that the tension was eased, but everyone was nevertheless still a bit nervous to descend into the darkness.
"I'll take point."
Fenris said as he got on the stairs, and descended to the underground without fear, surprising everyone since he didn't bring with him a light source.
However, they then saw a shred of light appear deep down the stairs and soon heard Fenris shouting.
"It's clear! Come down!"
Upon hearing Fenris, Ellen soon joined in descending down the stairs and the everyone else followed. The only ones left on the surface were the soldiers that Ellen ordered to keep watch.
However, they never notice a cloaked figure that was hiding behind the tree a few meters away from the temple. Unaware of the figure's presence, the soldiers continue to lookout for anyone.
It was then the cloaked figure left his hiding place and moved towards the soldiers. They in turn noticed and approached to turn the figure away.
"You are in the way…"
Before the soldiers could react, the figure threw a pair of knives; each one directed to their throats…
"This place was well-built for its age."
Fenris commented on the design of the passage. While Regin previous said that Saint-Groel existed prior to the birth of Brune, he nevertheless amazed of the construction. Everyone else share the same thought as the travelled through the passage.
While half of the men had torches to illuminated the darkness, Fenris had a light of his own yet of a magical kind. Floating above him was a small orb of light, a spell he casted called Candlelight, which help provide much needed illumination for an otherwise unknown area.
"Based on the passage's construction, it seems to be more of an escape route Regin."
"Before Brune was founded, Saint-Groel were merely underground passages."
"Any traps we should know about?"
"There shouldn't be any since the tunnels are under routine maintenance.
Fenris knew she was speaking the truth since he didn't feel anything unusual as travelled through the tunnel. If there was even a single trap ahead of them, he would already "feel" it.
Years of exploring dangerous caverns and tombs back in Skyrim help develop his danger sense in "feeling" nearby hostiles and traps.
"Still, it would be best to be cautious. We are relying on you Fenris." Ellen spoke to him and he merely smiled back at her.
"Don't worry. I will do everything I can to keep you all safe."
As they continue to move through the passage, they found it be more complex than they thought. They were different paths left and right along with more stairways to lead further underground.
Some were concerned when they notice holes in the ceiling which could be traps, but Fenris merely brush it off as he walked under them and nothing happened.
It was then they finally saw an opening in front of them and Fenris once again went through to check for any dangers.
Fenris scanned the area, but he stopped when his eyes gazes upon something and everyone could notice his face was in awe.
"Fenris, what did you see?" Ellen spoke to get his attention.
"Everyone, you all need to see this." He replied, but his eyes remained fixed on what he was seeing.
When they came out to see what Fenris was look at, they soon shared the same expression of awe like him.
Before them was an ancient mural, which dictate a three-headed dragon that seems to be fighting a trio of warriors. Two of the warriors on the mural appear to be using spears, but the last one was wielding a bow.
There were also a number of images on the mural, but there was one that surprised Fenris, which he kept it to himself as everyone else look upon the mural.
'What was that symbol doing here?' Fenris thought before turning his gaze from the mural to Regin.
"Regin, can you please tell us about this mural?" He asked Regin about the mural.
"The mural depicts the battle between the Dragon and the Gods…"
Regin begun to talk about the myth that the mural represent. The Dragon were said to attack the pantheon of the Gods, but the Dragon was very powerful and the Gods fear they would be destroyed. Due to this, three goddesses from the same pantheon chose to instead tried to control the dragon instead.
The myth left mixed feelings in Ellen due to being from Zhcted, which revered dragons. Fenris also had mixed feelings due to his history with dragons back in his world. Tigre however looked upon the mural in admiration.
After a few moments discussing about the mural, the group was about to go through a passage on the other side of the cavern. However, Fenris suddenly stopped in his tracks and gestured the rest to do the same.
"Fenris, what is wrong?" Ellen asked after seeing his unexpected action.
"We are not alone…" He replied as he gazes on the passage which lead them to the mural.
It was then the group heard footsteps echoing from the passage. Regin was moved to the back while the rest took a defensive stance for any enemies they may be approaching.
In a matter of moments, a person appeared from the passage and his appearance startled everyone. The person in question was wearing a sinister looking set of black armor with red outlines which appears to be glowing.
In his right hand was a greatsword of similar design and it was a size that many felt it was too cumbersome to be used properly. In his left hand was a helm that matches the scheme as his armor and had multiple horns.
They saw that the person was a young man with black hair and a beard that was trimmed short. A noticeable aspect on his face was a light scar across his left eye.
At first glance, it would appear that the person was dressed as a demonic knight. However, Fenris knew better since he clearly recognizes the armor design.
"Daedric…" He muttered out as he took up a aggressive stance as the person put on the helm and strengthening his fearsome appearance.
"Fenris?" Ellen asked him as she held Arifar tightly in her hands. The person before her was emitting an aura of strength and it was something similar to the one Ellen felt when she was fighting Roland back then.
"At last, we have our reunion Fenris…" The figure said to the Dragonborn, who's eyes widen as he also recognized the voice.
"Etis..!"
After hearing Fenris shout out the name, Ellen and Tigre soon remembered it was the name of the same person he was fighting just before he came to their world. From what Fenris told them before, Etis was a dangerous opponent to face.
"Glad you remember me... Did you assume that you were the only one that came to this world?"
"I was hoping that was the case…"
Etis only made a light laugh as he approached the group, which Tigre responded by firing an arrow at his head.
"Foolish boy…"
However, Etis merely move his head to the side with unhuman speed and retaliated with a Lightning Bolt fired from his left hand.
"Die."
"Tigre!"
Everyone look in horror as the spell moved quickly towards the archer and would have been his end if not for Fenris. He quickly used Greater Ward to block the spell before to struck Tigre.
"Go everyone! Continue the mission! I will deal with Etis!" Fenris shouted to the group as he kept a firm eye on Etis."
"But…!"
"Go! This is my fight!"
Seeing that Fenris was serious, Ellen nodded and quickly lead everyone through the passage they were going to enter. Now only Fenris and Etis were alone in the cavern as they pointed their respective weapons at each other.
"Hermaeus Mora told me about you."
"Did he now? That is irrelevant…"
"You know the price of crossing a Daedric Prince..."
"Yet here I am still…"
In a few moments, the two charged at each other with their respective weapons ready. Fenris's dual katanas clashed with Etis's greatsword as the two warriors begun their rematch.
Etis swiftly swung his greatsword at Fenris, but he managed to dodge some of the slashes while successfully blocking the rest of the attack. Fenris made his counterattack, but Etis also successfully block each attack with his daedric greatsword.
As both warriors continue to battle each other with their weapons, they managed to lay down some hits. Their respective armors however were able to withstand the blows, but they nevertheless felt the force from each blow.
Still, the two refuse to yield and continue to fight as the clash of swords echoed across the cavern. Fenris and Etis soon were caught in a blade lock as they were now face-to-face.
"I must say that I am impressed you managed to have a Vanadis as a patron."
"What? How did you…"
Fenris got out of the blade lock and swung his katanas at Etis, but he once again blocked and soon were caught in another blade lock.
"You were not the only one who managed to get a patron. When I first came to this world, I managed to form a mutually beneficial relationship with someone in the land that these people call Brune."
"And he told you everything about from Zhcted?"
Fenris broke the blade lock again and managed to pushed Etis away, but Etis threw a throwing knife at him which managed to his arm. However, the dragonscale armor was too tough for the knife to penetrate.
Fenris and Etis once again entered their respective stances as they kept their eyes on one another.
"Indeed. He told me everything he knew about the kingdoms in exchange for my services. This world is everything I have hoped for." Etis said as he threw a number of throwing knives at Fenris.
While surprised at the move, Fenris merely deflected some of the knives while dodging the rest.
"What do you mean Etis?" Fenris soon remembered what Etis said during their first encounter. "Does the tome you found previous spoke about this world."
Etis made a light laugh as he kept his eye on Fenris. "Well then… Since you survived in this world for so long, I guess you deserve some sort of reward."
Fenris saw Etis drop his stance, but felt something was off and chose to wait it out. As risky as it seems, Fenris felt it was best to get some answers from him.
"When I was young, I learned that an ancestor of mine supposedly made a discovery, but was never officially confirmed. I devoted my time in searching for any records that my ancestor may have left behind."
"That would explain your previous ties with Hermaeus Mora…"
"Yes. Hermaeus Mora rewarded me well for my services and what I found astonished me. What I learned proved that I was more special than I ever imagined."
"To the point you broke your ties with Hermaeus Mora?"
Fenris spoke as their fight has now turned into a discussion. Despite Etis being a dangerous foe, he wants to get as many answers from him as possible.
"He was going to hold me back when I have just realized my destiny. He said I will pay dearly in time, but I stand before you alive and breathing. It like my ancestor is protecting me from harm."
"Does this ancestor of yours have some relation to the ruins we first fought at?"
"Unfortunately, this discussion went on long enough…" Etis soon retook his stance and charged at Fenris. Once again, the two re-engaged each other in combat.
Fenris thought of using his Shouts and his more powerful spells, but he fears he could risk weakening the integrity of the cavern's walls and risk a collapse. Etis possibly felt the same way since he been using only his greatsword for most of the fight.
The last thing these warriors need to be buried alive.
While they were trying to get the upper hand against one another as they continue to clash their weapons against one another, they soon hear the echoes of clashing blades and shouting from the passage which the group went through.
"Looks like your friends have their hands full as well." Etis remarked as he was caught in another blade lock with Fenris.
"No…" Fenris was more driven to defeat Etis and quickly return back to the group. Much to his surprise though, Etis then jumped back and sheathed his greatsword. Fenris wasn't sure what he has planned, so he kept his eyes on him.
"What are you doing?"
"As much I would like to continue, I have other matters to attend. You are free to go back to your friends."
"You are just giving up already?"
"No. I do wish to defeat you, but it will not be here. I will be a time and place of my choosing, so await the day we meet face-to-face once again. Farewell Dragonborn."
Before Fenris could say another word, Etis channelled a spell from his right hand and soon, a purple aura surrounded his body. In a few seconds, he vanished without a trace.
"A teleportation spell?" Fenris was surprised that his enemy knew such a rare spell, but he too has an important matter to deal with.
Sheathing his katanas, Fenris rushed towards the passage and moved as quickly as possible to aid the group. As he moves through the passage, the sounds of a battle became louder, showing he was on the right track.
"Please be okay everyone…" Fenris muttered as he finally saw an opening at the end of the passage.
It was then he entered another cavern and Fenris saw a small battle being waged. He was shocked to see the group battling Thenardier's soldiers, but it was then he saw Ellen battling a man of strong stature in plate armor and was wielding a large greatsword. They were fighting near a large door at the other end of the cavern.
From how ornate his armor was, Fenris believed that was Duke Thenardier himself.
"Time to cut the head off from the snake…" Fenris muttered as nobody noticed him yet, so he casted Bound Bow and the ghostly bow and quiver materialized.
Quickly preparing a shot, he aimed for Thenardier's head while he was currently in a blade lock with Ellen's Dragon Tool.
He fired the shot and flew straight to its target, yet Thenardier seem to felt it coming and using his left forearm to block it; using his plate gauntlet to minimize the damage.
Ellen and Thenardier noticed the arrow's appearance; the former realizing who it belonged to. Thenardier's own soldiers also noticed the arrow and turned towards the direction where it came from and were shocked of who they saw.
"Fenris!" Ellen shouted out as she saw the Dragonborn at the other side of the cavern. While Fenris was displeased of the failed shot, he dematerialized his Bound Bow and drew his katanas as he entered the fray.
All of Thenardier's soldiers were fearful of Fenris, but they also fear the wrath of the duke if they show cowardice. At this point, they don't know who to fear more, but they nevertheless showed their bravery.
However, Fenris made short work of a few that chose to charge at him; dropping dead before they could lay even a single strike at him.
"Are you three okay?" Fenris said to Tigrn, Regin and Rurick just as he positioned himself in front of them. In front of him was a well-built man with an emotionless expression on his face. From what he could tell, he was a step-up from the ordinary soldier.
"We are okay. Is Etis…?" Tigre said to Fenris; relieved that he come to their aid in time.
"He chose to flee." Fenris replied before he turned towards the enemy in front. "And you are?"
"Steid, and I have no business with you. Only for Earl Vorn and Princess Regin."
"You are much braver than the soldiers I fought…" Fenris replied as he entered a defensive stance. "However, bravery alone will not be enough to stop me."
Steid merely charge at Fernis; his sword clashing with Fenris's katanas.
'As I feared, I have no charges left…' Fenris thought as he saw that the enchantments on his katanas were not working; his fight against Etis has completely drained its reserves.
Nevertheless, his katanas were still potent weapons without its enchantments. Despite Steid's sword was apparently made of a stronger metal, Fenris could tell there was a subtle chip on the blade after clashing with his own.
Steid was surprisingly also a skilled swordsman; not like the regular soldier. Fenris could tell his opponent was being cautious in his attacks to avoid leaving an opening.
Just as Fenris continue to clash with Steid, he felt a rumble beneath his feet. Soon, he noticed that the entire cavern was shaking as pieces of rock begun to fall from the ceiling.
"An earthquake…?" He muttered as everyone begun to realized that the entire cavern was beginning to collapse.
"Retreat!"
"Evacuate!"
Everyone from both sides shouted out as it was apparent they have to leave the caverns before they were crushed by the rubble. The rumbling beneath their feet didn't help their anxiety for many had to put their hands on the wall to stay on their feet.
Fenris remained calm despite the earthquake due to experiencing similar events before in his adventures. Maintaining his balance, he helped many of his allies back to their feet as he tried to ensure no one is left behind to be buried alive.
He turned to see Ellen and Rurick running towards his position and saw that Tigre as behind them. However, Steid made his move and tried to attack Tigre, who managed to dodge sideways despite the rumbling.
"Earl Vorn, you will die here." Steid spoke coldly as he seeks to end his enemy's life despite the great risk to his own.
Just he was preparing another attack, Fenris moved quickly to intercept and managed to catch Steid's attention. Steid was forced to block a blow from Fenris, giving Tigre a chance to escape.
"Fenris, come on!" Tigre shouted at Fernis as he ran back to the others, urging him to follow."
"Just go!" Fenris didn't turn his head towards the archer as he kept his attention on Steid; the two currently caught in a blade lock.
'But…!"
"Go!"
Despite his fear of leaving Fenris behind to possibly die, Tigre nevertheless listened. The force of the earthquake intensified however and the archer lose his footing.
"You dare interfere…" Steid coldly spoke as he tried to break through Fenris to reach Tigre, now on the ground.
But the Dragonborn refuse to give ground as his attacks were blocked with ease.
"I promised that I will ensure the safety of my comrades…" Fenris only replied as he reengaged Steid as the cavern's integrity reached its limit.
As the two fight on despite the earthquake, Fenris soon notice that Tigre was still in the cavern with him.
"I told you get out of here Tigre!"
"I am trying!"
Tigre was trying to get back up on his feet, but the force of the earthquake reach the point it was difficult to stand up. He was also hampered by debris falling from the ceiling, which forced the archer to stay low.
Soon, the ceiling finally gave in and collapsed as rocks begun to rain upon them in large numbers.
"Tigre! Fenris!" He heard Ellen shout out their name from the passage, which was now blocked by piles of rocks, which blocked his only escape route.
"I guess this is how it ends…" Fenris only muttered as he closed his eyes and await what should be the end of his life. Even with his abilities, there was little he could do to survive a complete cave-in.
However, fate can be fickle…
"Uhhh…"
Fenris opened his eyes as he regained his consciousness. He remembered that several rocks fell near him and caused him to finally lose his balance. After that, he blacked out when something hit his head.
He was lying down on the ground and saw that somehow, he wasn't crushed by the collapse of the ceiling. Fenris saw he was now in a small chamber, which was created from the collapsed ceiling during the earthquake.
"Why am I still alive…" Fenris could only mutter as he tried to move his head despite feeling pain on the top. When he checked for a possible wound, Fenris was surprised when there was no blood.
Whatever struck his head, he didn't get any sort of head injury and all he got was a slight headache.
"Hermaeus Mora…"
Despite knowing how fickle the Daedric Prince is, he had a feeling that he had something to do with his survival. The unworldly being doesn't throw away powerful and loyal followers unless he has no choice like he did to Miraak.
When Fenris tried to get up, he felt a snag to his waist on his right. When he turned to see, she saw that one of his katanas was caught under large piece of rock. The only thing sticking out was the top part of the sheath and the hilt.
"Just my luck…"
He pulled on the hilt, but it didn't even budge. Fenris sighed as he realized that the katana in question was not recoverable and he doesn't have the proper materials to forge another.
It wasn't the first time he lost one of his weapons, but was a significant loss since he spends much time and effort in forging his katanas.
Forced to rip the straps connected to the buried stealth, Fenris was then able to free himself and he quickly looked around the small chamber he was trapped in.
It was then his eyes caught on something…
"Not a great way to die…" He muttered
It was Steid and he was lying on his back, his eyes wide open. However, Fenris saw that the lower part of the man's body was buried under rocks. Apparently, he wasn't as lucky as the Dragonborn.
"You should have run when you had the chance." Fenris said to the deceased Steid as he closed his eyelids. It was then he remembered he wasn't the only one here.
'Tigre…'
Despite the odds of Tigre surviving in the same manner as he did were very slim, Fenris knew he had to at least try.
Casting Life Detect, Fenris tried to see if Tigre managed to survive against all odds. If not, then he would have to tell the grim news to everyone. That is if he could ever dig his way out…
"What the…"
He said in shock as he felt not one, but two life forces down here with him. The only possibility that someone ran back here prior to the collapse. But such an act would be seen as suicide…
Fenris turned his head towards the wall of rubble which apparently where Tigre was when the cavern collapsed. He hoped to find someway to at least communicate with him, but he surprised to actually find a opening that was big enough for him to could crawl through.
Just he got on his belly, Fenris heard a voice from the opening.
"Bertrand?!"
The Dragonborn could tell it was Tigre's voice, but he was shocked that Bertrand was here since he never seen him in the cavern prior to the earthquake. He soon realized that Bertrand was the second life force he detected.
'You have such a loyal servant Tigre.' Fenris thought as he entered the opening and moved as quickly as he could.
He knew how loyal Bertrand was towards his master, Tigre. No doubt he rushed back to the collapsing cavern to aid him despite the risk to his own life.
in a matter of moments, Fenris was able to reach to the other side. The chamber was smaller than the one he was previous in, but there was enough room to at least crawl in.
Within the chamber was Tigre, who now sports some bruises across his face and was kneeling over a body.
"Tigre." Fenris shouted to catch Tigre's attention. The archer quickly turned his head and caught sight of the Dragonborn.
"Fenris! You are alive!"
"I could say the same to you."
Fenris got on his knees to get a better look on the one lying on the ground. As he expected and feared, it was indeed Bertrand and there was a deep gash on his forehead.
"Bertrand…"
With how bloody his forehead and the difficulty of his breathing, Fenris surmised that Bertrand suffered a concussion along with the usual blood lost.
"Please help him!"
"Stay calm Tigre. Just make some room." Fenris crawled towards Bertrand as Tigre tried to give him as much room as he could possible.
Upon reaching Bertrand, he touched his forehead with his right hand and channeled Healing Touch. In a few moments, the gash closed up while the old servant's breathing was returning to normal.
"He will live, but he needs to rest." Fenris to Tigre regarding his servant's condition.
"Thank the gods…" Tigre could only mutter out in relief.
The two were soon sitting back to back, thinking of their predicament. They were unsure if they would be rescued since the earthquake could likely collapsed the other passages to where they are now.
"Do you think Ellen will come for us?" Tigre spoke without turning his head.
"Knowing her, she would risk much to get us out. That is if we don't die from thirst…" Fenris replied.
Tigre couldn't argue with that fact. They didn't bring any water with them when everyone went underground. The archer surmised that they had at best a few days before dehydration take their lives.
Despite that, he refuses to give up hope.
"I know, but she will come for us. We just have to wait."
Unexpectedly, he didn't hear a word; he was expecting a reply from Fenris as usual. Turning around, Tigre notices that the Dragonborn was in one of his meditative states.
Tigre always wondered why Fenris enter this state during his free time. All Fenris told him that it was to clear his mind and relieve himself of negative emotions.
'It is going to be a while before Ellen reaches us, so…'
Tigre thought as he tried to copy Fenris's meditative stance. While he never meditated before in his life, he wanted to see if what it does was true or not.
When Tigre closed his eyes, nothing happened at first. However, he soon felt his consciousness fade into nothing…
Like his soul was being pulled from his body…
Author's Note:
I apologize for taking so long in writing this chapter. I faced some issues with my computer for the past few weeks and just when I had that resolved, my monitor died. By the time I was able to get a replacement, it was getting close to my family's vacation. I will be gone for a few weeks, so it would be some time before I return back to writing.
As you would have already noticed, a key event has been altered. However, I intend to follow through the story in the light novel and the changes will not hamper Tigre's development.
Harem: Ellen, Lim, Mila, Sofy, Liza, Valentina, Olga, Sasha, Fine(?)
(?) From what I learned about her, she has a complex personality. It would be possible to add her to the harem, but I haven't finalized it yet.