Her red eyes stared at me as she tried to find words to speak. A mixed expression of understanding and a hint of sadness graced her features. She tried to curve her lips in an understanding smile. But even a mudcrab could see through that futile attempt.
A sense of guilt overcame me, not for speaking the truth but because my brutal honesty always seemed to disappoint those around me.
'I mean, what could she expect of me, me caring for her deeply now? Won't take away the traumatic experiences in my past...' I thought while locking eyes with Serana, which she averted quickly.
She sighed softly it sounded almost like a whimper.
Studying her reaction I knew it was a hard pill to swallow for her, me being conflicted with being a vampire. Nonetheless I couldn't lie to myself I dreaded the time I had to feed one way or another. Or risk becoming a feral mindless beast that prospect scared me to the core.
"I understand... I may not like you hating being a vampire but I really can't blame you... The only thing I hope for is you not hating me for turning you." Serana said as she locked eyes with me again her eyes seemed to plead for affirmation.
I closed the distance between us as I embraced Serana.
"I would never hate you for that... You saved my life in more ways than one." I replied looking at her while getting a strain of hair away from her pretty face.
"I know that Dracar, I wished there was another way to save your life and if there was I would pick that over this..." She said softly as she carressed my face.
"I just hope you can come to peace with this regardless of your past. Hope you will see this as something positive in a way and I know it sounds selfish but I'm happy in a way... Happy that I won't have to see you die happy that we will be together." She said in a soft apologetic tone.
Hearing her say that somewhat upset me but in a way I kinda liked the prospect of spending endless hours with Serana. I was conflicted, conflicted between my feelings for her and my morals even though what happened in Cyrodill happened three years ago. My days with Serana alleviated the pain, somedays even made me forget all together.
A fleeting part of me still assumed she had me under her spell, that feeling however faded with every radiant smile she gave me.
With what happened in the soul cairn there was no doubt she had my best interest at heart. Unbeknownst to her I saw that her mother was trying to escape with her Serana however stayed and fought.
which being intending to kill or hurt a person would go through such lengths to hurt someone.* I thought to myself as I
glanced over at the female vampire.
She met my eyes and gave me a small smile as she fidgeted with her hair.
"I know Serana, still I can't keep being a vampire... For multiple reasons you know that, I get how you are feeling a little part of me even wants it as well. But still I wouldn't be able to forgive myself..."I replied hoping Serana would see it from my perspective.
She seemed to understand my point of view as she nodded.
"Well, I hope if there is a way we can find it Dracar..." She replied, her voice was a bit stoic. I could tell she was having a hard time with it.
"We should get going." I replied deciding it was best for us to drop the subject for now.
As we were walking through the city its streets were bustling with life. Birds were chirping filling the streets with their beautiful song. A few kids were playing hide and seek, laughing and roughing eachother up. Their parents were talking, or shopping at the local market As the vendors appraised their wares.
Some priest were gathering herbs for their potions and ailments, as a few bards of the bards college practiced on their instruments.
Solitude really seemed like home a bittersweet feeling came over me as I reminisced to the Imperial city.
After a while we walked past the winking skeever, I nudged Serana while rubbing my stomach. She smiled at me as we walked in the inn.
The inn was bustling with townsfolk we slowly made our way through the crowded inn over to the counter a redhead imperial greeted us.
"Greetings traveller's, my name is Corpulus Vinius. Can I offer you some ale or a meal perhaps. "
"Some ale please." I responded.
Corpulus smiled at us as he prepared our drinks.
"So what brings you two to Solitude? Here for business or visiting." Corpulus asked as he served our drinks.
"We are just passing through, you have quite the crowd gathered here." Serana replied as she took her ale.
"Ah yes, that's because of the festival villagers and townsfolk from the area come here to quench their thirst before moving to the main square for the festivities." Corpulus responded smiling widely "Its good for business haha." He whispered as he winked at us.
Me and Serana smiled back as we moved to a quiet place.
"Lord I believe we have been infiltrated." Vingalmo spoke as he picked up the smoldering remains of a skeleton.
"How !?" A dangerous deep voice sounded through the dark hall.
Vingalmo visibly trembled before his liege.
"I don't know sire, they must have sneaked through the undercroft..." Vingalmo whimpered trembling before his lord.
Harkon made his way over to him menacingly. "So what did they stand to gain from coming here Vingalmo?"
"I don't know my lord maybe they are just foolish." Vingalmo spoke fear evident in his voice.
Harkon slammed his fist in the wall the very foundations trembled by the force of it.
"I know my daughter she is everything but foolish. She is smart and calculated like her mother they were seeking something." Harkon said as he gritted his teeth.
"My lord what are we going to do now?" Vingalmo said.
A wicked smile crept up Harkon's face.
"I am not going to do anything. You however are." Harkon laughed as he grabbed Vingalmo by the throat.
He inched closer to Vingalmo face as he bit him.
Vingalmo trembled and shaked violently trying to break free.
"My lord please!!!" He screamed.
be silent worm you were tasked with keeping taps on the castle you failed me*
"Now take this gift and hunt them down kill whoever you come across." Harkon laughed maniacally as he released Vingalmo.
Vingalmo eyes glowed as swirls of magicka surrounded him.
"As you please my lord."
Ale flowed generously as music filled the streets of solitude.
Serana was dancing gracefully I observed her from a small distance sipping on my ale getting quite tipsy. She looked at me with a seductive smile as she winked at me slowly moving her finger coercing me over to her.
Normally I wouldn't have given in so easily but the booze helped me find some courage as I slowly walked over to her.
She grabbed my arms and began to slowly move her body to the sound of the music. Leading me on with every step.
In no time we were waltzing and twirling around my head was spinning as the lights and people seemed to flash by me.
The only thing I could focus on was Serana and her radiant smile.
"I love you." I whispered looking at the beautiful vampire.
"What??" Serana said loudly. "I can't hear you over this loud music."
"Never mind." I said with a smile as the booze took its hold making me stumble to the ground.
It has been way to long since I felt normal even longer since I could enjoy something like a festival.* I thought looking up at the beautiful nights sky as small smoldering ashes flew up.
Serena dropped down next to me giggling.
"Khajit got your balance huh." She smirked as she flicked my nose.
"No, 'hicc' just reallllyyy 'hicc' really drunk 'hicc'." I managed to get out between hiccups.
Serana laughed loudly.
"Well let's call it a night for you, you are as drunk as a bard. " Serana giggled as she helped me back to the winking skeever.
booom*
A loud bang awoke me as the sound of people's guttural screaming filled the air. I groggily tried to get up from my bed looking around the strange room.
I noticed Serana wasn't in the room as the sounds of steel connecting to steel and magical explosions filled the air once more.
Realising what was happening I rushed downstairs just grabbing nightbane in the process.
Once there I was met with Corpulus and a handful villagers barricaden the doors .
"What is happening!! Where is my companion?!" I yelled
Corpulus looked at me with a terrified expression.
"They came in the death of night when everybody was either drunk or asleep. They have overrun the city and are killing everyone!!!" He yelled in terror.
My blood began to boil as I gripped my sword tighter. "Open that door." I spoke through gritted teeth.
"Ain't no way in oblivion I am opening that door. What are you going to do anyway. " Corpulus replied shivering from fear.
"Open that door now! My friend is out there fighting them." I screamed.
Corpulus looked at me seemingly understanding my plea as he lead me to a still un barricaded backdoor.
"Please be careful." He said as he closed the door behind me.
I quickly glanced around, the entire city was engulfed in flames as screams from dying terrified people filled the air.
Smoldering ashes descended down on my face as the inferno grew the air was filled by the smell of smoke and blood.
I quickly turned a few corners running into thralls.
"Fuck it is them..." I grimaced unsheating nightbane.
The thralls didn't hesitate to attack me as they swung their swords at me. Evading them one by one I slid down to the ground.
Running past them.
I have no time for this!! I have to find Serana.*
Running through the main street my eyes were darting from left to right frantically searching for any sign of Serana.
A fireball connected next to me flinging me into a wall. Coughing I struggled to get up as burn marks riddled my unprotected arms.
I looked up searching for my assailant as my eyes grew wide. A knife just barely managed to grace my cheek as a vampire jumped me.
FUS RO DAH*
My thu'me flung the vile beast into the roof of a nearby store blood and viscera rained down on my figure as I stood up.
A horde of thralls and vampires were fighting imperial soldiers and guardsman in front of me.
"DUCK DOWN!!" I yelled
yoll toor shull*
A fiery inferno escaped my mouth as it blasted towards the group of undead monsters and their slaves.
The smell of foul burning flesh and shrieks filled the air.
The soldiers ran towards me.
"Dovahkiin you got to help general tullius he is cornered in castle dour." The soldiers pleaded with me.
"First I have a question for you soldier. Have you seen a female black hair beautiful fighting?" I asked them.
The soldiers glanced over at eachother before one of them spoke up.
"I have seen her she is fighting at the bleu palace holding of the vampires with the court wizard and a bataljon of soldiers." He replied.
I sighed in relief however I still worried a attack of this magnitude is no coincidence why would Harkon attack solitude with this much force.
I decided it was best to relief general tullius so that we could corner the attackers in the streets between castle dour and the Palace.
"Lets go save your general." I yelled as we made our way through the streets.
We managed to cut our way through to the blacksmith.
I heard loud shrieking as I looked up in horror.
"They even brought gargoyles!!" I grimaced gritting my teeth.
I tried to stop the soldiers but it was to late for some as they were flung like ragdolls.
"Stay back!! Those creatures are dangerous!!" I yelled planting nightbane in ones stony hide.
The gargoyles descended down on us as a fierce fight ensued.
The soldiers moved into a turtle like formation stabbing anything that came close. I was impressed by the legion as they seemed to hold their own.
It took a while but we finally made it to the main square of castle dour. The square was riddled with bodies from civilians and soldiers alike.
The castle walls were held by mages and archers shooting down at the horde of vampires thralls and their gargoyles.
"CHARGE" I yelled as we charged into the frey.
The battle seemed to take ages as their seemed to be no end to their numbers. Soldiers were forced to fight against their reanimated brothers and sisters. As the battle raged on we finally made a dent in their numbers as general tullius sallied out of the fort with a bataljon of soldiers.
Finally we routed them as they ran to the direction of the bleu palace.
General tullius walked over to me heavily bloodied and injured.
"Dracar last time we met you were a prisoner here. I am glad we didn't execute you. " he said as he coughed up some blood.
"Thanks for that, what is the situation here general?" I asked panting heavily
"Its dire Dracar, we were taken by surprise I fear for the queen they have been hitting the palace hard. Luckily for us your female friend and a few thalmor wizards are there now. " general Tullius replied.
"Can you spare some man to help me? I need to help her." I said worry plastered on my face.
The general sighed.
"I'm afraid I can't spare that many Dracar the townsfolk come here for safety. I have a duty to protect them..." He replied with a apologetic tone.
"Just send the man you can spare." I said as I proceeded to run to the palace.
Serana was fighting heavily as she cut down another thrall coming for her.
argh*
She screamed as a lightning bolt hit her side. Looking up for her attacked her eyes widened it was Vingalmo however something about him was different he seemed more powerfull more menacing.
He laughed as he locked eyes with her.
"Ah, The traitor daughter is here my !"
Serana glared at him.
"What are you doing here Vingalmo? Come to be my father's lapdog again cause he is to much of a coward himself to come get us." Serana yelled.
Vingalmo just smiled as he grabbed a soldier ripping his head off.
"Taste my power traitor!!" Vingalmo screamed as he conjured up a enourmous lightning spell.
Serana eyes widened as she conjured up one of herself.
The two lightning bolts connected producing a enourmous blue shockwave blasting everyone in the direct vicinity over.
As I duck underneath another sword slash ripping my blade through another stomach. Running towards the blue Palace.
My eyes widened in shock as I saw the enourmous lightning spells connecting.
wuld nah kest*
I shouted as my thu'me propelled me forward.
The blue palace was now very much in striking distance as I ran through the courtyard striking multiple thralls down.
"SERANA!!" I yelled as I could make out the figure of her laying on the ground motionless.
A hulking figure loomed over her grabbing her by the hair.
"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HER!" I growled.
My blood red eyes glowed menacingly as my dragon blood boiled in anger. Smoke left my mouth as guttural noises left the deepest parts of my being.
"Ah, Dracar come to see this traitorous bitch get what she deserves hahaha." Vingalmo laughed.
I glared at him furiously as I inched closer my eyes clouded with anger.
"Lay one hand on her and I promise you I will unleash the weight of Mundus on you. The fiery inferno of dragon fire will rain down upon you as I tear you to shreds!" I said in a hushed dangerous voice.
Vingalmo seemed to be taken aback by my words as he hesitantly raised his sword.
"I warn you vile beast that will be the last thing you do on this plane of excistance. "
Vingalmo began to laugh as he threw Serana into a wall.
I sprinted toward Vingalmo nightbane in hand, now in striking distance I aimed at his neck.
Vingalmo however faded from my vision appearing behind me kicking me in the gut launching me into a backwall.
Pain filled my being as I could feel multiple ribs were broken. Coughing I slipped in and out of consciousness.
"Hahaha, you don't get it do you the power of The Volkihar clan!!"
His image slowly coming closer through blurred vision.
The vampire lord stood before me cracking his knuckles as he prepared to strike he was tackled.
"Serana..." I weakly muttered looking at Serana crashing into Vingalmo hissing dangerously at the male vampire.
Swirls of lightning emitted from her palms crashed and crackled as she conjured up her spell.
Her black hair danced in the wind as she unleashed her wrath upon the male vampire.
Which disappeared from my vision again appearing behind the female vampire. Drops of crimson blood plastered my face.
Mortified I looked on as her figure fell down to the floor grasping the ground trying to crawl away from the hulking figure of Vingalmo.
He planted his heel on the wound making Serana scream out in agony.
"YOU BASTARD !!!" I screamed in deviance as I stumbled to my feet sprinting towards Vingalmo.
Despite the pain I felt in my ribs I pulled to charging the male vampire which in turn grabbed me by the throat lifting me off the ground.
"You still don't understand? Do you! You two can't defeat us! Look around you we razed Skyrim's capital to the ground. Now despair and witness how I kill your little girlfriend." Vingalmo proclaimed victoriously as his sword inched closer to Serana's neck.
I gazed down at her and was met with eyes filled with despair. The same eyes my family had back in Cyrodill the same pain filled my being.
NEVER AGAIN! Never again will I despair never again will lose to the likes of your kind! *
durn eh viir*
My thu'me left my body as Vingalmo dropped me shocked at the glowing purple materialisation of a huge undead dragon manifested before him.
Its roar thundering through the streets as its vile mouth opened up to reveal a purple ember growing ever larger. Its inferno turning the hordes of undead warriors and thralls into purple smoldering ashes.
Vingalmo looked at me in horror as my figure walked through the violet inferno unscathed. Glowing crimson eyes locked with Vingalmo as a wicked smile curved my lips.
The male vampire slowly inched backwards as he trembled in fear.
"W-w-what are you !?!?!?!"
"Let me show you."
yol tuur shul*
My mouth openend as the words of power forced its way out of my being a fiery inferno blasted the male vampire against the backwall trying his hardest to fight the fire as the stone melted around him. Blasting his smoldering body into the waters down below.
Panting heavily I gazed over at Durnehviir. "Thank you for the help Durnehviir."
The dragon bowed his head down.
"Shall I make sure your enemy is death Qahnaarin."
I smiled at the dragon while wiping blood from my face.
"No need Durnehviir you are free to roam the skies for now. Thanks for coming to my aid." I replied looking down at the port to make sure Vingalmo was actually death. "You should fly away as fast as you can before the Imperials come here asking questions."
having a undead dragon standing in the middle of the courtyard is bound to raise some.* I thought to myself.
The dragon nodded once again before stretching its wings gazing towards me one last time before taking off he notioned his head towards Serana.
"You should take care of your companion Qahnaarin." He replied as he took to the skies.
shit!! Serana!* I internally screamed before running towards her limp body laying on the ground.
Sliding down to the ground turning her around I sighed in relief as I saw her chest softly rise and fall.
Cupping her head softly I carressed her face as her eyes slowly opened her crimson eyes met mine as her lips curved into a weak smile.
"We survived once again my doomstruck hero." She said softly as she cupped my face.
Tears flowed down my face as I looked at her with a small smile.
"You had me worried there my bloodsucking princess. Never ever go into battle without me again!!" I replied softly leaning my face into her hands.
"I'm a strong 'cough' independent 'cough' woman you know." She fake scoffed at me.
I laughed softly while still holding her up.
"This is no time for jokes Serana I'm serious here. Never ever fight alone again, I don't want to loose more people than I already did." I said softly. "Especially you... you mean to much to me."
Her gaze softened as she looked at me intently, I moved in closer to her face as my lips grazed hers.
We were however shaken from our intimate moment as general tullius and his soldiers moved in.
"Dracar !! Is the queen okay ?" General tullius yelled over.
I locked eyes with Serana which reasured me she would be okay before standing up and meeting the general.
"I believe she is, the vampires didn't breach the blue palace we made sure of that. However our losses were catastrophic." I replied looking down at the ground.
The general had a grave expression on his face as he muttered something incoherent about Ulfric.
I proceeded to lift Serana on her feet.
"Can you walk ?" I asked concerned, she nodded at me whilst slowly walking besides me.
We made our way into the palace to make sure that there really weren't any vampires in there *besides the court wizard Offcourse but only me and Serana knew that.*
We sighed in relief as we saw queen Elisif sitting on her throne weapon in hand ready to strike. The boy we rescued back in Riften next to her.
"Dracar, what a surprise to see you here it seems that anywhere doom strikes you are present. I don't know to call us lucky or unlucky to have you here." She said sternly.
I bowed my head in shame knowing the reason the attack happened was because me and Serana were present in Solitude.
"Actually my queen he saved the cit..." general Tullius started but was cut of by me speaking.
"My sincere apologies my queen... the attack indeed happened because me and my companion were present in your city." I spoke up.
The queen looked at me confused as did general Tullius.
"What is it you are speaking of Dracar explain yourself." The queen commanded.
"The things that attacked you today were from a clan of vampires called the Volkihar clan. The reason they are after us is because I allied myself with a vampire hunting group called the dawnguard." I explained.
Eilisif quirked her brows before speaking again.
"Ah yes, I know off them they came here a few weeks ago asking for troops to fight the growing vampire menace. I refused to believe them... however what does that have to do with them attacking because you two are vampire hunters?" She said as she stood up from her throne. "It seems like a foolish endeavour to unleash the might of the empire onto their heads for just two people."
I sighed while looking at Serana which seemed to know what I wanted to tell Eilisif next.
"We aren't just two regular vampire hunters and there is more to this story than what it might seem." I replied eying Eilisif up for her reaction.
She rubbed her temple before falling back in her throne.
"This is going to be a long night isn't it." She exclaimed while still rubbing her temple.
I proceeded to explain the entire story to her the court and to general Tullius.
Eilisif sighed loudly as she stood up pacing around the throne room.
"So if I understand this all correctly she is the daughter of a powerfull vampire lord. You two somehow managed to get your hands on two elder scrolls. Vampires that want to black out the sun and a world eating dragon threatening our entire excistance..." Eilisif said with a defeated tone.
"How are we supposed to fight the Stormcloak's dragons and legions of undead... What do you suggest Dracar?" Eilisif proclaimed in despair.
I sighed in defeat as a solution for this problem was beyond me. I didnt even know how to defeat Harkon seeing as one of his underlings almost killed me and Serana laying waste to an entire city. Not even mentioning how to deal with that black dragon.
"I know we call a moot call a truce between the empire and the Stormcloak's so me and Dracar can focus on defeating my father and those god awful overgrown lizards." Serana proclaimed proudly.
My eyes widened impressed at Serana's genius.
"That will never work Ulfric is too proud to ever enter into a truce." General Tullius said blatantly.
I rubbed my temple thinking of a solution before something came to mind.
"He is a man of tradition I have been told on who honours his word and ancient nord traditions right?" I asked.
Everyone quirked their eyebrows at me.
"Well lets call for a meeting with the greybeards people who he respects and honours he is bound to have noticed the dragons and the vampire attacks thats something he can't ignore. Its in everyone's best interests for me to defeat them. " I said hopeful.
The people in the room seemed to ponder about it for a while.
"Well you are the Dovahkiin the reincarnation of talos he is bound to respect your judgement." General Tullius proclaimed "However he will not come without demands. We must be prepared to come a middle ground in the talks."
Eilisif looked troubled pondering about the repercussions of talks like that.
"Hmm I don't look forward to talking to my husband's killer but if it leads to less carnage like we seen today it must be seen through." She said softly.
"Than let's put our plan into action before more misery befalls the people of skyrim." I said as me and Serana excused ourselves. Leaving the nobles to the rest of the politics.
The aftermath of the battle weighed heavy on the city crying children roamed the streets searching for their parents. Smoldering houses collapsed as the smoke obscured the true damages to the human eye.
Soldiers dragging bodies of the death on piles to burn them by the dozens. A looming feeling of dread filled the streets as everyone looked despaired.
I almost had forgotten what a war looked like as a small child gripped the side of my leg looking up at me with teary eyes.
"Do-do-do you know where my mommy is..." The little girl whimpered as she wiped the tears from her small face.
Tears formed in my eyes as I looked down at the little girl reminding me of my own daughter.
"I don't kid but let's go looking for her." I said as I lifted her up.
Serana locked eyes with me as she looked at me with a sad expression.
We walked towards Castle dour where I know most civilians were hold up.
"What does your mommy look like ?? Uhm what's your name oh beautiful princess." I muttered out trying to cheer the whimpering kid up.
The small girl forced a little smile as she looked up at me.
"My name is Arlá and my mommy is the most beautiful woman in the world!" She exclaimed a bit more uplifted than before.
I smiled down at the kid whilst still walking.
"Ah, so we are looking for a goddess now huh. But ssst because my female friend here might get jealous." I softly whispered back.
The kid looked over my shoulders at Serana and stook out her tongue at Serana. Making both me and Serana laugh a little.
Once at Castle dour I looked around with the kid for a while. I sighed loudly as it didn't seem that her mother was present fearing the worst I gave the kid to Serana trying to look around for her mother.
The kid began to whimper again before we heard a woman call out her name loudly as she ran towards us.
Me and Serana both sighed in relief as Arlá and het mother hugged eachother tightly.
"You are a good person Dracar." Serana said as she rubbed my shoulders.
"These people were all good people Serana, if it wasn't for me being here this wouldn't have happened... I am tired seeing so much despair around me..." I sighed softly as I walked away slowly.
But not before the little girl came running towards me thanking me for finding her mother.
I smiled as the kid ran back towards her mom.
"See Dracar, you have a positive effect on this world don't let unfortunate events get to you. Without you all these people would have been death..." Serana said trying to reassure me.
"Thanks Serana, but still I wished I could have lived a normal life."
The waves washed a burned body on the shores next to the solitude lighthouse.
As the lighthouse keeper dragged the body out the sea it began to move.
"Are you okay !! What happened in the city??" The man yelled.
The body slowly got up as its red glowing eyes focused on the man its body limped weakly to its feet as it inched closer toward the lighthouse keeper.
"What are you doing? Wait!! Nooooo *arg*"
The mans limp grey body fell down as the burned man's skin began to rejuvenate itself swirls of magicka surrounded its body as it screamed in deviance.
"Fuck that hurt !! Curse you Dracar!" Vingalmo screamed as he panted heavily.