Sunrise 5,1

Fort Dawnguard was located east of Riften, carefully hidden in a secluded vale. I had teleported to Windhelm and made my way south, reaching the place as twilight fell. Agmaer was good company. He was older than me, yet less experienced. His only weapon was his family's axe, and it reminded me of Embry.

I sincerely hoped he'd gotten a place in Sovngarde. He deserved it.

We made small talk as we reached the fort.

"You've probably killed lots of vampires, huh? I'm sure Isran will sign you right up. Not sure he'll take me. I hope so."

"I didn't kill that many vampires." I reassured. "Most of times, it was with the Companions. But they killed a friend in Riverwood. I had to do something after that."

"Same here. I saw a vampire attack. I felt I had two choices. I could either live in fear of the night, or I could do something to help protect my people."

The fort was bigger than we thought. Back in the days, it must have been beautiful. It was also scarcely populated. A Breton greeted us at the entrance.

"New recruits? Hmm. Isran will decide if you've got what it takes. Go on, he's right inside."

He was, and in full argument with a Vigilant of Stendarr. He was a Redguard, tall, dark-skinned, with a thick beard and a heavy armor. A large war-hammer was in his back.

"Why are you here, Tolan? The Vigilants and I were finished with each other a long time ago."

"You know why I'm here." Tolan frowned. "The Vigilants are under attack everywhere. The vampires are much more dangerous than we believed."

"And now you want to come running to safety with the Dawnguard, is that it? I remember Keeper Carcette telling me repeatedly that Fort Dawnguard is a crumbling ruin, not worth the expense and manpower to repair. And now that you've stirred up the vampires against you, you come begging for my pardon?"

What Tolan said next made me freeze. The situation was worse than I thought.

"Isran, Carcette is dead. The Hall of the Vigilants... everyone... they're all dead. You were right, we were wrong. Isn't that enough for you?"

Isran looked embarrassed, almost sheepish.

"Yes, well... I never wanted any of this to happen. I tried to warn all of you... I am sorry, you know."

Tolan scoffed and turned to us.

"You have visitors."

I nodded and nudged Agmaer. We stepped together. Isran didn't look impressed.

"So, a farm boy and a brat. What are you two here for?"

"We, uh, we're here to join the Dawnguard, Harry and I." Agmaer answered.

Isran scoffed.

"I'm willing to take a farm boy. There's a fire in you, kid. But a brat? Aren't you too young to be galivanting so far from home?"

Here we went again. New organization, same routine. Fortunately, Hedwig was at my side. She took her maidenowl form.

"I don't know. How many dragons have you killed, Mister Tall, Dark and Snarky? Because Harry has killed quite a few, and at least two on his own."

Ah, Hedwig, what would I do without you? Isran paused.

"You kill dragons? Even though you're not done growing up? Who would be so irresponsible to let a child hunt dragons unsupervised?" He glanced at Hedwig. "No, not unsupervised. You got your dog and that lady with you. Still. Aren't you a bit too young for that?"

"If you think disaster cares for age…" I grumbled. "Look, I was in Riverwood. I killed the vampire who'd just murdered Embry. I can use the Voice, I am a member of the Companions and Jarl Balgruuf's protégé. I have several deities backing me up, primarily Akatosh, but also Kynareth through Hedwig and both Meridia and Hircine. I'm not harmless."

I saw Isran hesitate. Tolan frowned at the mention of the Daedric Princes. Eventually, they signed.

"I still don't like it. You're too young to my taste. But I recognize Dawnbreaker, and I can tell an Akaviri katana when I see one. Fine, welcome among the Dawnguard." He turned to Hedwig. "You keep a close eye on him. I don't care how many skills he boasts, he's still a child. He should be home with his parents instead of out there hunting vampires and dragons."

"Bad news for you, then." Hedwig retorted. "A lich killed them and his uncle and aunt spent most of his life abusing him for being able to use magic. He ran from home a few months ago."

"…Ah. I see. Bloody bastards." Isran turned to Tolan. "Tolan, tell him about, what was it, Dimhollow?"

"Yes, that's it. Dimhollow Crypt." Tolan nodded. "Brother Adalvald was sure it held some long-lost vampire artifact of some kind. We didn't listen to him any more than we did Isran. He was at the Hall when it was attacked..."

"That's good enough for me. Go see what the vampires were looking for in this Dimhollow Crypt. With any luck, they'll still be there. Feel free to poke around the fort and take what you need. There isn't much yet, but you're welcome to anything you can use."

Tolan turned heels and walked away.

"I'll meet you at Dimhollow. It's the least I can do to avenge my fallen comrades."

"Tolan." Isran called. "I don't think that's a good idea. You Vigilants were never trained for..."

Tolan's retort was bitter and acerbic.

"I know what you think of us. You think we're soft, that we're cowards. You think our deaths proved our weakness. Stendarr grant that you do not have to face the same test and be found wanting." He turned to me. "I'm going to Dimhollow Crypt. Perhaps I can be of some small assistance to you."

"I'm sure you can." I smiled. "I work better with a team. Still, if it' all the same to you, I'd rather we go tomorrow. Night has fallen."

"A fair point."

We ended sleeping in Fort Dawnguard. The bedrolls weren't the most comfortable thing around, but the bed back in Privett Drive felt worse. It was fine. The next day, I took my map and searched Dimmhollow Crypt's location. Tolan gave it a weird look. I shrugged.

"A gift from Akatosh. If I visited a place before, I can visit it again by touching its location."

"Who are you exactly?"

I looked away. Yes, I was used to my role by now. But, after Isran's reaction the other day, I fully expected more disbelief when I told them the truth.

"I am the Last Dragonborn."

"I know the tale." Tolan blanched. "People have spotted a black dragon in several locations of Skyrim. So, on top of vampires, the end of times has come… What an era we live in. And our savior isn't done growing up. Stendarr and Akatosh help us."

"Akatosh is." I reassured. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be there."

Dimhollow Crypt was located between Morthal and Dawnstar. I had visited neither of these places, but I had visited Ustengrav. Once we were out of Fort Dawnguard, I held his hand while he held the map. Hedwig sat on my shoulder while Barbas grabbed the hem of my armor. I touched the location of Ustengrav. In a flash, we were there. Tolan shook his head.

"That was an experience. This kind of blessing is useful."

"One time I used it with Lydia, we ended in a pile before Dragonsreach."

We made our way through the mountainous snow land. The place was cold, but I was getting used to it. We stopped at the Hall of the Vigilant to retrieve what little we could. Once we were done with the Crypt, we would grant the Vigilants proper funerals. Then we followed the mountain path to the place. The entrance didn't look like much, a hole in the mountain one would usually ignore.

We didn't. Two vampires were guarding the crypt's main gate. I held Tolan and gave Hedwig a nod. Hedwig smirked, Ice Spears at the ready. The two icicles each nailed a vampire in the heart. I moved next, Dawnbreaker in hand. The vampires were recovering from the icicles and couldn't react in time. Two swings and their heads fell.

"Left nothing to chance, uh?" Tolan nodded.

Barbas headed to the ruined tower behind us. A few moments later, the gate opened. I rubbed his head and we made our way. The next room found us face to face with a female vampire – who lost no time rising skeletons against us. Tolan and Barbas smashed them apart while Hedwig chained Ice Spears in her chest. She was half-dead when I finished her.

"Why are you scouring the room?" The Vigilent asked as I opened a chest.

"I need the gold and Whiterun needs the rest."

I still sent the gear and potions I found to Whiterun. It kept business flowing and equipped the guards in case of dragons. In the next room, a vampire was engaged in a fight against several draugr. We waited until she was tired killing them to ambush her. A few minutes to empty the room and we crossed a corridor leading to a large cavern with a lake. The skeletons emerging from It were an ugly surprise. Fortunately, their bones were brittle. The vampire watching the place was more resilient. I had to heal Tolan from an Ice Spear after Hedwig impaled her on several of them.

The corridors at the top were filled with vampires, death hounds and frostbite spiders. It was an ugly fight, and I had to wield Dawnbreaker and Rael's Blade at once to parry all my opponents. Tolan suffered more injuries but managed to kill a vampire and several death hounds. I got the other three vampires while Hedwig and Barbas finished the death hounds and frostbite spiders.

"You're good at Restauration magic." Tolan breathed as I healed his wounds.

"I had plenty of practice with the Companions. I even managed to save Skjor when the Skinner cut one of his arms."

"Ow. Stendarr helps him."

"He was fine the last time I checked. Training to fight with a missing limb is mostly a question of balance and bad habits to break."

The last room had a large iron gate and an elder vampire fighting a huge frostbite spider. I took the Bow of the Hunted, waited until he had killed the spider, then shot him in the back. As soon as he was panting on his knees, I beheaded him with Dawnbreaker.

Underhanded, I know. But a straight-up fight would have been suicidal. I couldn't afford to die.

The room led to a vast cavern filled with a lake and a Gothic-looking structure. We could only watch as two vampires and their thrall held a Vigilant at their mercy.

"Brother Adalvald." Tolan whispered.

I addressed a thought to Stendarr when the male vampire struck him down. We didn't bother hiding our presence as we made our way down. I still turned to Tolan.

"Once I start Shouting, close your eyes."

"Understood."

The two vampires turned to us when we arrived.

"What is it?" The female one glared. "Lokil, I thought we had destroyed their pathetic headquarters."

"We have, Gulveig. This one must have been away when we struck." Lokil frowned. "And the boy is too young to be with the Vigilants. No matter. I happen to be thirsty. Not you?"

Gulveig licked her lips. Tolan glared back.

"We won't let you, bloodsuckers. You are going to pay for killing my Brothers and Sisters. Harry?"

I nodded and Spoke.

KUN SHUL LOK

The radiant blast blinded, deafened and scorched the two vampires. It merely blinded and deafened their thrall. Tolan used the opening to bash his chest, then his face. I stabbed Lokil and Gulveig with Dawnbreaker and Rael's Blade. We collectively breathed.

"One good thing done." Tolan said mournfully. "My Brothers and Sisters are partially avenged."

"Now, we just need to find what they were looking for."

It was clearly something to do with the structure surrounding us. There was a pedestal in the middle. I pressed button – and yelped when a spike pierced my hand. I healed it while watching my blood run along the structure and into the ground.

The edifice came alight with purple flames.

"Of course, something related to vampires would use blood." Tolan sighed. "Now, how does it work?"

It took us some time tinkering with the torches to figure how to properly position them and light all five. First brazier to the outer ring. Second brazier to the inner ring. Third brazier to the outer ring. Fourth and five braziers to the inner ring. The ground lowered to reveal an ancient sarcophagus.

The woman inside was groggy from sleep, but alive. She was also a vampire.

"Unh... where is... who sent you here?"

Tolan reached for his weapon. I was about to hold him when I felt Akatosh stir.

"Tolan? Wait. Akatosh is up to something."

I turned to the presence in my head. Akatosh was indeed watching. His voice came in a whisper.

"Harry, may I take control? I have information to share and direction to give. This is important."

"Alright."

I surrendered control to the God of Time as my mind took the backseat and I became a spectator.

§ § §

Tolan watched as Harry's amulet shone brightly. Then the teen stiffened and his eyes became a monochromatic purple. When he spoke, his voice was deep and bearing the weight of time itself.

The dragon-god was speaking. He had no choice but to listen.

Stay your hand, Vigilant Tolan. Serana and the Elder Scroll on her back have an important role to play in a certain prophecy which was made several ages ago. I have a vested interest in seeing it fulfilled – on my terms.

Tolan bowed.

"I obey, Lord Akatosh."

The god of time may not be his patron, but he was still the leader of the Divines. Serana blinked.

"Wait… you are really Akatosh? How? I thought the Divines couldn't manifest!"

Not to this extent, no. I can only do it because, as the Dragonborn, Harry has a fragment of my soul in him and bears a spark of my power around his neck. The possessed teen crossed his arms. The Tyranny of the Sun states that among the night's children, a dread lord will rise. In an age of strife, when dragons return to the realm of men, darkness will mingle with light and the night and day will be as one. There are, however, twists and turns to every prophecy and I plan to exploit these. You and Harry will be vital in that endeavor, which is why you will go to Solitude and talk with Tullius, then go home. Vigilant Tolan, you will go back to Fort Dawnguard and tell Isran to prepare himself and his men. I want them ready to assist Harry.

Tolan nodded. "Harry" turned to Serana.

You may be a Daughter of Coldharbor, but I can tell you aren't a fundamentally-bad person – unlike your father. Assist Harry. Help him fulfil the prophecy on my terms and you will receive a reward worth more than any treasure. But, so help me, if you turn on him… Magic danced in the possessed teen's hand as a feral grin crossed his face. Every single dragon, starting with my firstborn Alduin, will raze your castle and wipe your clan from the surface of Mundus. Am I clear?

Serana felt the power behind the god's voice. He may be possessing a teen, but his power felt all-too-real. She looked down.

"Alright, I'll do as you say. But I really expect to be rewarded once this mess is over."

Oh, you will, child. You will get exactly what you seek, plus a few interesting boons. But, first, you will have to help Harry. He is my Champion.

Serana nodded. "Harry's" eyes shifted back to green as his body relaxed and his voice returned to normal. The teen massaged his head.

"At least, he asked, this time."

§ § §

I massaged my head and looked at Tolan and Serana. I had seen and heard everything and reassured them of the fact.

"So, off to Solitude, then Serana's home while Tolan heads back to Fort Dawnguard. Good, I've meant to visit the place and pay General Tullius a visit. Though… not in these conditions."

"I am a bit bothered having to cooperate with a vampire." Tolan admitted. "But Akatosh is the strongest of the Divines and there are dragons roaming the skies. If he has a mission for us, we better fulfil it."

I sighed helplessly.

"And here I thought becoming strong enough to stop Alduin was going to be my biggest problem. Not that I'm complaining, but… dealing with vampires and an old prophecy isn't exactly why Akatosh made me the Dragonborn. I'll still do it, though. It's not like I could say no."

We made our way to the exit. On a table, I found a book which taught the spell Necromantic Healing and decided to learn it. I needed to if I wanted to work with Serana. The final room was a giant arena with a fire pit and several draugr who went straight at us. I held Tolan and Serana and Spoke.

YOL TOOR SHUL

The fiery breath incinerated most of them. The others were quickly finished while I drank a healing potion. My throat ached.

Then I spotted the Word Wall.

"Wait here. I'll be right back."

The closer I got to the Word Wall, the more the world faded around me, until only the words thrummed in my head, ringing back and forth in their chant.

HET NOK KOPRAAK DO SVOLO
WO PIRAAK MULAAG WAH KRIIN
DOVAH NUZ NI GAAN WAH
KRIIN POGAAN

gaan

Gaan

GAAN

GAAN

GAAN

"GAAN." I said. "Stamina."

The world came back and I saw Tolan and Serana look at me, the first in startled realization and the second with curiosity.

"What was that?" Serana asked.

"That." Tolan said blankly. "Was the confirmation Harry truly is the Dragonborn. Anyone can learn the arts of the Voice, though it takes them years. But learning from a Word Wall is something only a true Dragonborn can do, as is draining a dead dragon of their soul."

We left the arena and finally reached the end of the cavern. The sun was setting and I realized I was getting hungry. Digging in my bag, I took a chicken dumpling and offered Tolan another. He shook his head and took his own packaged venison chop. We took a moment to eat.

"I can go back to Fort Dawnguard on my own." The Vigilant reassured. "Use your map to reach Solitude. We will meet at the fort once your business is finished."

"Got it."

I took my map and nodded. Meridia's shrine was the closest I'd been to Solitude.

"Hold my arm."

Serana obeyed as Hedwig and Barbas did the same. In a flash of light, we were at Mount Kilkreath.

"Another boon of Akatosh?" Serana asked.

"He's a nice patron."

We made our way to Solitude – and froze when we saw it under attack from a dragon. The city guards and legionaries were fighting it, and I was fairly certain General Tullius and Rikke were amidst the melee. The certitude cemented when I saw Rikke stumbling from a tail in the stomach. I ran. The dragon turned to her and opened his jaw…

I stepped between them, Rael's Blade drawing a bloody line on his muzzle. Rikke took the break to drink a healing potion and jumped on her feet. I held the katana and glared.

"Back off if you want to leave."

"Dovahkiin?" The dragon growled. "As if I would ru from such a krif! I am Yahlungaan! Fight me, kiir!"

"If you insist…"

I drew Dawnbreaker and blocked his charge with FUS, then missed his eye with Rael's Blade. His jaw clamped on Dawnbreaker. I stood my ground. His tail flung several guards and legionaries away while his wings, which spotted several ugly tears which kept him grounded, threw more of them off-balance. I aimed Rael's Blade at his eye, forcing him to release Dawnbreaker, then slashed at his muzzle, forcing him back. Yahlungaan opened his jaws and Spoke.

FO KRAH DIIN

Rikke and I dived to the sides and dodged the Shout. An archer wasn't so lucky. The icy breath froze him to death. I snarled. I knew there were always going to be casualties in a fight, but that didn't mean I liked it! I drew a red line on the dragon's neck as one of Serana's Ice Spears struck his eye. An arrow got the other and I heard Tullius shout.

"Harry, the beast is blind! Finish it!"

I nodded, grabbed a horn and climbed Yahlungaan's neck. Then I drove Rael's Blade in his skull. The dragon roared and collapsed as I slid down. And I absorbed his soul.

It was, as always, a rush. The power going to my head made it spin as I gained full understanding of the Word I'd learned.

GAAN – Stamina.

I stumbled on my feet as the world stopped spinning and I came back to my senses. I rubbed my eyes, swallowed and looked around. There were casualties among the guards and legionaries, but Tullius and Rikke looked fine. I held a gold-glowing hand.

"Anyone needs healing? I'm skilled at Restauration magic and I have potions."

"Are we really going to ask the Dragonborn to tend to our wounded after he killed a dragon?" A guard muttered.

Rikke glared.

"He is offering help and we need it. Over there, Harry."

I spent the next half-hour healing the injured the best I could. Still, I was getting hungry. That chicken dumpling had been a nice snack, but between the cavern and the dragon, I needed a real meal.

"So, that's what happens when you kill a dragon." Serana crossed her arms. "I mean no offense, but it does sort of look like a vampire, especially since you look like you're on a high."

"I know people find it disturbing." I shrugged. "Nothing new here. And yes, the power and understanding of the Word gives me a rush. It can't be helped anymore than me losing any surrounding awareness around a Word Wall."

Tullius came to me and held a hand. I took it and stood.

"You came right on time, Harry. We could have taken that dragon down, but the casualties would have been higher."

"I wanted to visit Solitude for a while." I nodded. "Also, vampires are beginning to act up and Akatosh felt like you and I need to talk. But –"

My stomach chose that moment to roar. I sighed.

"Maybe tomorrow?"

"If Elisif doesn't let you stay at the Blue Palace, I will have the guestrooms prepared for you and your companions. I will also be greatly disappointed."

Translations:

Ru: run
Krif: fight, battle
Kiir: child

Yahlungaan: Seek Leech Stamina

So, quick question: how do you turn a dlc quest into an actual, "six chapters plus two interludes" arc ? You have Akatosh get personally involved, then add socio-political consequences. Hope you enjoyed ^^